NACA FORMS ALLIANCE WITH GERMAN SLOTS

   The New American Consolidators Association, a group of three U.S.-based non-vessel-operating common carriers, has formed an alliance with German freight consolidator Strategic LCL Transport System, or SLOTS.
   Under the terms of the agreement, SLOTS will be the exclusive
representative of New American Consolidators Association (NACA) for all
cargo handled in Germany. NACA will handle cargo outside Germany on behalf of SLOTS.
   NACA was formed last year by Direct Container Line, Brennan
International Transport and Conterm International. Their combined freight
volumes make them one of the largest NVO shippers’ association.
   SLOTS was formed last year by a group of 60 German forwarders. The
concept of SLOTS is to serve as an NVO for the group’s overflow
less-than-container-load traffic. Its alliance with NACA has taken a year
to negotiate, and the service will begin in mid-July.
   SLOTS will open branch offices in Bremen and Hamburg to serve the
alliance. The group has recently appointed Hans J. Willam as acting
chairman of SLOTS. Dieter Shramm and Bjoern Kitzinger serve as deputy
directors of the board, while Carsten Meyer will be managing director of
SLOTS.