Charter – STS Transfer Forum – Europe – Middle East

CHARTER – STS Regional Forum (Europe, Middle East, Africa)

I. AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE:
The STS Regional Forum (Europe, Middle East, Africa) was established in December 2014 to provide an open exchange of information and best practices between the stakeholders in the STS industry. This document serves to formalise EMEA, its mission and goals.

II. NAME:
The name of the organization shall be the STS Regional Forum (Europe, Middle East, Africa) hereinafter referred to as EMEA.

III. MISSION:
EMEA will provide a forum for those engaged in and associated with Ship-to-Ship and Ship-to-Barge transfer operations to:

Promote the safety of the STS industry
Engage with and make recommendations to government counterparts and international organisations such as IMO on issues which have come to either’s attention for resolution.
Educate and inform stakeholdersChallenge the industry to continually improve operationally
Facilitate discussion amongst all industry partners and other regional bodies associated with STS

IV. MEMBERSHIP:
Core group membership shall consist of representatives from active STS Service Providers conducting business in the EMEA region at multiple locations, and representatives from their customer base. These representatives must have particular knowledge, expertise, and experience regarding the transportation, equipment and techniques used in STS operations.

General membership shall consist, by invitation only, of representatives from the various Sectors in which STS operations are conducted. This may consist of representatives from appropriate state regulators and authorities where STS operations are conducted, various other industry partners associated with STS such as port authorities, related industry bodies, agents, emergency responders, educational institutions, offshore suppliers, etc.

The number of representatives attending forums from each company shall be limited to no more than 3 persons.

From time to time it may be necessary to convene the EMEA working group exclusive of the general membership.

V. OFFICERS:
EMEA membership shall elect by majority vote two persons to serve as co-chairs; one person from a Working Group company providing STS services (on a 2 year rotation basis), the other person shall represent a customer who engages an STS service provider. If only one nominee is put forward, the EMEA working group by consensus will accept or reject the nomination. At the end of the two year term each person, and their parent organisation, shall not be entitled to stand again for election as co-chair for a period of 2 years.

In the event that no customer nominee is forthcoming then the co-chairs may comprise of representatives from 2 different eligible service providers with agreement of the working group forum on a temporary basis.

With a majority vote the membership can decide to elect new co-chairs.

Co-chairs may relinquish their position(s) at any time giving as much notice as possible.

A co-chair shall remain in office for a period not exceeding 2 years (4 meetings of the Forum).

FOCUS/WORKINGGROUPS:
From time to time, it will be necessary for EMEA to convene focus groups for specific projects or tasks the group decides to address.

These focus groups will remain as constituted until such time as the desired work product or task is completed. The focus group as required by the working group may be composed of Core and co-opted general members, or 3rd parties.

The STS Service Providers will be invited to form a working group in between forum meetings in order to progress action items from previous meetings and to scope the agenda for forthcoming meetings.

VI. MEETINGS:
It will be the responsibility of the co-chairs to communicate with the core members and call meetings on an as needed basis but at intervals not exceeding 6 months.It is incumbent on the co-chairs to arrange meetings, venues and associated logistics; though the Membership may be requested to assist as required.Once it is decided to convene a meeting, agenda items will be solicited from the general membership to ensure all issues are brought forth to the entire membership. A final agenda will be distributed prior to the meeting.

VII. RECORDS OF MEETINGS:
It will be the responsibility of the co-chairs to produce an accurate record of the meeting, discussions, and agreements. This is to also include any handouts which were made available prior to or at the meeting. This record will be made available to the general membership shortly after the meeting. A record of this accounting will be held for a period of five years and can be made available to any member company or entity requesting it with an affirmative agreement from the co-chairs.Records of meetings of the core group will also be kept as above and made available to the general membership.VIII. VOTING:The majority of decisions will be made by general agreement of the membership. In instances, where it is necessary to conduct a formal vote, which may include, but not be limited to, election of a co-chair only one representative from each working group company will be entitled to cast a vote. In the event of a tie, the outgoing co-chair vote will not count.

VIII. VOTING:
The majority of decisions will be made by general agreement of the membership. In instances, where it is necessary to conduct a formal vote, which may include, but not be limited to, election of a co-chair only one representative from each working group company will be entitled to cast a vote. In the event of a tie, the outgoing co-chair vote will not count.