The Trans-Pacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) has charted a new course for leadership by creating a four-member Executive Committee that will run the organization.

TSA ' the 17-year-old discussion and research group made up of 11 of the world's leading container shipping companies ' will now be led by chief executive officers from four of those carriers: American President Lines, Evergreen Marine Corp., Hanjin Shipping Co, Ltd., and NYK Line.

Beginning Dec. 1, Ronald D. Widdows, CEO of American President Lines, will serve as Executive Committee Chairman for the next year. 'We need new energy, new ideas and a new commitment if we're going to meet the needs of shippers in the world's most dynamic trade lane,' said Widdows a 35-year industry veteran who has been at APL's helm since 2003. 'By placing control of TSA directly into the hands of its members, we can be more responsive than ever to those needs.'

The newly created Executive Committee will be responsible for establishing policy, formulating and implementing the group's business objectives, research activities and communicating with customers, government regulatory agencies and the shipping public. It's a highly visible role given that the Trans-Pacific trade between Asia and the US is the world's largest container shipping market.

'As world trade rises, demand continues to increase in this market. The result is congestion and stress on an infrastructure that is already operating at near capacity.' said Widdows. 'Carriers and shippers will face many challenges and we have to be smarter at working together. This new management structure puts us in a much better position to respond to changing market conditions, customer needs, as well as the needs of the carriers.'

In announcing appointment of the Executive Committee, TSA also said that Executive Director Albert A. Pierce is retiring from the organization Jan. 1. Pierce has guided TSA since 1999. He was instrumental in helping TSA move beyond the earlier system of rate conferences to individual, confidential service contracting after passage of the US Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998. 'Al has served the industry well for many years,' said Arnold Wang, CEO of Evergreen. 'We thank him for his efforts and commitment to the TSA and to our industry, and wish him well in retirement.'

TSA noted that current deputy executive director Brian M. Conrad will remain in charge of administrative functions for TSA as president of Trans-Pacific Carrier Services, the non-profit affiliate company providing administrative services to TSA and three similar agreements.