Thai Airways International Supports Ministry of Transport & Communications’ Measures Towards Resolving Shipping Problems in America

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced that the airline was in support of measures proposed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications towards resolving problems experienced in cargo shipments that are sent to the United States of America. These measures would be used towards coming to a resolution concerning problems experienced at 42 ports of call in the U.S.A., which have been temporarily closed due to labor disputes.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, stated that on 11 October 2002 the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Mr. Pichate Sathirachaval requested that THAI come up with measures to alleviate problems presently experienced in shipping goods to the U.S.A. Thai operators are currently experiencing problems at 42 ports of call in the U.S.A., which have been temporarily closed since October of last year due to labor disputes. Closure of these ports have caused problems in the shipment of goods such as instant food products, clothing, and most importantly seasonal Christmas and New Year items which have been seriously affected. The Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications issued a policy for THAI to assist in coordinating with the Thai National Shippers’ Council, which is under the Federation of Thai Industries, to study the nature of the problem and to establish a special working group as a means of facilitating the concerns of affected exporters. In addition, THAI has been asked to assist in finding an alternative solution to assist in transporting Thai products to the U.S.A., on schedule and with the least negative impact possible.

In addition, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Mr. Pichate Sathirachaval will arrange a meeting of the special working group early next week, with work-related functions dealing with cargo shipments of various types, in order to work towards finding resolutions for Thai export operators. THAI will be the lead organization in seeking shipment solutions, in line with the policy put forth by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Furthermore, THAI’s Management will proceed with plans concerning the airline’s traffic plan, in line with the measures concerned.