BALI, INDONESIA – The Global Shippers’ Alliance (GSA) and Asian Shippers’ Alliance (ASA) successfully convened their Annual Meeting 2025 in a hybrid format on November 6, 2025, in Bali, Indonesia, and online. The meeting brought together key global and regional representatives, including the American Association of Exporter and Importers (AAEI), Australian Peak Shippers’ Association (APSA), Shippers’ Council of Bangladesh (SCB), European Shippers’ Council (ESC), The Hong Kong Shippers’ Council (HKSC), Indonesian National Shippers’ Council (INSC), Korean Shippers’ Council (KSC), Malaysian National Shippers’ Council (MNSC), Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC), and Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC).

Key Agendas and Calls for Action
The meeting acknowledged the critical importance of urgently elevating the Minimum Service Level (MSL) provided by ocean carriers to adequately meet the demands of service users. Furthermore, the alliances identified numerous challenges faced by shippers arising from both
associated logistics service providers and governmental agencies across member countries, which severely impact costs and trade competitiveness.

• Issues with Service Providers and Non-Standard Regulations: The GSA and ASA highlighted recurrent issues of unfair and rising charges, including the Weight Amendment Fee, Terminal Access Charges (TACs), continuous increases in port charges, Depot Lifting Charges, and
other escalating miscellaneous costs. Persistent operational deficiencies, such as port congestion, inadequate standards in Depot Regulations and Operations, and the issue of empty containers being unfit for stuffing or failing to meet shipper specifications were also underscored.

• Obstacles from Legislation and Governmental Measures: Concerns were raised regarding current legal frameworks that do not accommodate the use of electronic documents, such as e-B/L, Movement Restrictions During Peak Hours, the Empty Container Park (ECP)
Notification Fee, the Passage of the Minimum Freight Rate Bill for Container Cargo Trucks, and Combined Vehicle Weight Restrictions (BGK).

For the Joint Statement, please see here.