Cargo-handling association ICHCA International and Bureau International des Containers et du Transport Intermodal have agreed on a cooperation framework and signed a memorandum of understanding.

“ICHCA and the BIC have worked together on an informal basis for many years to improve the safety and efficiency of container operations worldwide,” said Rachael White, CEO of the ICHCA International Secretariat [left in photo]. “This MoU provides a framework to enlarge and extend our efforts over the coming years.”

As an independent non-profit NGO, ICHCA represents the interests of its voting members, more than 6,500 associate members and the global cargo community.

The BIC, also a non-profit NGO, has more than 2,100 members in 120 countries, was appointed by the International Organization for Standardization in 1972 as the industry’s global container prefix registry.

“The interests of the BIC and ICHCA align in many areas, particularly in areas involving container safety,” said Douglas Owen, secretary general of the BIC [right in photo]. “The two organizations have been providing mutual support in various areas for years and we look forward to strengthening our cooperation in the future.”