Shippers from a cross-section of global industries have joined the International Air Cargo Association’s (TIACA) Shipper Advisory Committee.

TIACA announced the news at its Executive Summit in Miami today.

Representatives from Chanel Fragrances and Beauté, Ericsson, and Sandvik Machining Solutions will be joining chairman Lars J.T. Droog (pictured right) – manager of supply chain and general affairs at the Tosoh Corporation on the council.

Marine Harvest RMT and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries are also now members, with shippers from the automotive and flower sectors to be announced soon.

Droog says: “We have representation from a wide range of industries who ship a significant amount by air globally to bring insight into shipper challenges, so that the industry can better collaborate and work towards slicker, safer supply chains.”

The new council complements existing shipper organisations to include all sectors of the global air cargo community, according to TIACA’s secretary general, Doug Brittin (pictured second right) who says shippers was the one section of the supply chain it needed to engage better with.

TIACA’s chairman and head of cargo business at Delhi International Airport, Sanjiv Edward (pictured 2nd left) explains: “TIACA represents all sections of the industry and we feel it is very important to provide this platform specifically for shippers to bring their concerns to the discussion table. Collaboration is key to ensuring we add value to the industry.”

TIACA also announced the launch of a new improved advocacy knowledge bank on its website as it looks to enhance the communication of pertinent issues with members from across the supply chain.

The information will be sorted by topic, including Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI), dangerous goods, security programs, research and development, e-commerce, as well as market access and trade facilitation. Each topic will be fully described and easily searchable so that industry segments can determine how it may affect them.

Brittin says: “We want to ensure that we deliver timely, relevant information to our members so that they can be ready for new legislation and take action where necessary.”

TIACA’s three-day Executive Summit brought together over 170 delegates from across the globe to network and take part in discussions on topics from e-commerce to PLACI.