JAAF hails Sean Van Dort’s appointment to Global Shippers Forum board

The Global Shippers forum welcomed Chairman of the Sri Lanka Shipper’s Council Sean Van Dort to its board yesterday. 

Initiated in 2006 as successor to the Tripartite Shippers’ Group established in 1994, the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) is the global voice for shippers.  Like the Tripartite Shippers’ Group, the GSF represents the interests of various national and regional shippers’ organisations in Asia, Europe, North and South America and Africa.  The GSF is focused on the impact of commercial developments in the international freight transportation industry and the policy decisions of governments and international organisations that affect shippers and receivers of freight, the body said in a press release.  The GSF was formally incorporated and registered as a non-governmental organisation in the United Kingdom in June 2011.

Secretary-General of the Global Shippers’ Forum Chris Welsh (MBE) said: “We are delighted that Sean has joined the board. His global experience and breadth of knowledge will be a valuable asset in future discussions and negotiations.”

Van Dort is Head of Commercial & Logistics at MAS Holdings - a $1.6bn conglomerate, positioned as one of the world’s most recognised design–to-delivery solution providers in the clothing and textile manufacture sector. MAS, which has its headquarters in Sri Lanka, has 48 manufacturing facilities across 15 countries with over 79,000 people involved in its operation.

The Sri Lankan Shippers’ Council became a member of GSF in June 2015 and last month’s annual meeting was held in the county’s capital Colombo. GSF membership now stands at 32 national and regional shippers’ organisations from all the major regions in the World. 

Van Dort, the JAAF nominated representative to the Shippers’ Council since 2012 appointed to Chair of the Sri Lankan Shippers’ Council in 2014, said: “As the Sri Lankan Shippers’ Council celebrates its 50th anniversary, I am delighted to join the Board of Directors at the Global Shippers Forum. I look forward to working together with shippers’ associations across the world to achieve lower surcharges, higher quality and more open competition in international freight transport.”

In addition to his role at MAS, Van Dort also serves on the advisory committee to the Minister of Ports and Shipping in Sri Lanka and is a member of the Joint Apparel Association Forum Logistics Committee.

Van Dort’s appointment to Global directorate of GSP is a tremendous boost to Sri Lanka, on its journey towards ethical and sustainable practices in Shipping and we are delighted for the opportunity, Chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum Noel Priyatilake said.