NEWARK, New Jersey, Aug. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Journal of Commerce confirmed today that two of the most senior executives in the container shipping industry globally will participate as keynote speakers at the 6th Annual TPM Asia conference. Ma Ze Hua, President of the COSCO Group and Ng Yat Chung, president and CEO of the NOL Group, parent of container line APL, will deliver keynote speeches at the UBM Global Trade organized conference, set for October 17-18 in Shenzhen, China, home to one of the world's largest container ports. 

Both executives will speak to the current state of container shipping and the major issues facing customers, carriers, ports and the broader economy as the industry takes stock of 2012 and begins to look toward 2013. They will address a key theme of the conference, which is how the industry can move toward a less volatile and more predictable future, bringing greater predictability and value to the global supply chains that depend on an effective container shipping system.

Ma Zehua was named Director of the Board, President and Deputy Secretary of Party Committee of China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company ("COSCO Group") in August 2011. He was formerly President of COSCO (UK) Ltd., General Manager of the Development Division and Assistant President of China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company, President of COSCO America Inc.

Ng Yat Chung was appointed Group President and Chief Executive Officer of NOL beginning October 2011. Prior to joining NOL, Ng was a Senior Managing Director at Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited. Before joining Temasek Holdings, he was the Chief of Defense Force in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Other confirmed speakers and panelists include:

• Lucas Vos, Chief Commercial Officer, Maersk Line
• Hua Joo Tan, Executive Consultant, Alphaliner
• Mario Moreno, Economist, The Journal of Commerce
• Mark Szakonyi, Associate Editor, The Journal of Commerce

Some of the planned session and topics include:

• The Economic Environment for Container Shipping
• Finding Value in BCO/Shipper and Carrier Relationships
• China as a Driver for Containerized Trade - How is it Changing?

The conference will be hosted by the Shenzhen Municipal Port Administration, and organized by The Journal of Commerce. Sponsors and confirmed participating companies include Shekou Container Terminals, Chiwan Container Terminal, DaChan Bay Terminal One, Yantian International Container Terminals, APL, APL Logistics, CMA CGM, Maersk Line, OOCL, Port of Houston Authority Guangzhou Port Group, Inttra, Damco, Modern Terminals and Emirates Shipping Line.

Well over 600 attendees flocked to the 5th Annual TPM Asia conference, held at the Intercontinental in Shenzhen, China on October 11-12th. TPM Asia also attracted 100+ shippers, like Sony, Staples, Target, The Home Depot and more. TPM Asia is now clearly established as the largest and most important annual container shipping conference in Asia. This year, leading figures in the industry will take on the major issues and challenges, offering valuable insights, predictions, and guidance for the attendees.

For more information, or to register for the event, please visit www.tpm-asia.com. Its American counterpart, TPM, the world's largest container shipping conference, will be held on March 3-6, 2013 in Long Beach, California. For more information on TPM, please visit: www.jocevents.com/tpm2013.

About The Journal of Commerce: Since 1827, JOC has been the most trusted source of intelligence for international logistics executives to help them plan global supply chains and better manage day-to-day transportation of goods and commodities in the United States and internationally. To become a member of The Journal of Commerce, please visit: https://secure2.halldata.com/joc/land.do?w=745&form=2b&pk=W11MCL.

About UBM Global Trade -- UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of UBM, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-223-0243 (+1-973-848-7250 outside the U.S. or Canada).  

MEDIA CONTACT:

Greg March, Asia Director
The Journal of Commerce
gmarch@joc.com

SOURCE UBM Global Trade