“The folks at Maryland’s Port of Baltimore look at quality and do something about it.  By bringing the manufacturers into the loop on this type of program, they stay on the cutting edge of quality cargo handling.”

            Craig Peterson
            Port Inspector, John Deere Company

Structure and Membership:

Modeled after the QCHAT – Auto Initiative.

The QCHAT- RO/RO initiative membership includes, but is not to limited to, the following organizations:

• ACL

• AGCO
• American Port Services

• Bennett Motor Express
• CXST

• Case New Holland

• Caterpillar
• Ceres
• Hoegh Autoliners
• International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA Local 1429)
• John Deere
• K-Line America, Inc.
• MAT
• MOL America
• Maryland Port Administration
• Maryland Transportation Authority Police
• NSCSA
• NYK Bulkship (USA) Inc.
• Norfolk Southern Corporation
• P&O Ports
• Schneider Logistics
• Steamship Trade Association
• Union Pacific
• Wallenius/Wilhelmsen Lines North America, Inc.
   

Background:

• In December 2002, a QCHAT-RO/RO initiative was launched.
   
• Case new Holland and John Deere were targeted to spearhead the pilot.
   
• 44 RO/RO specific quality factors were identified and assessed on a monthly basis.
   
• First QCHAT-RO/RO meeting for all RO/RO cargo participants was held in July of 2003.  Meetings have been held on a monthly basis in conjunction with the QCHAT-Auto meeting.
   
• Monthly agenda items include a review of assessment reports and presentations highlighting member organizations.  Performance reports are provided on a quarterly basis.
   
• May of 2004 a Charter was developed to institutionalize the initiative.

Sub-Committees: formed and modeled after QCHAT-AUTO 

Quality Performance:

• Out of the 44 key quality factors identified, QCHAT determined 26 areas of focus for improvement.  Quality handling for RO/RO has continued to improve for each 6-month period.
   
• Overall cumulative quality average, which evaluates compliance with all the quality factors, is 98%.
  
  
   

Created by The Maryland Port Administration.
For General Information call 1-800-638-7519 or write to:
MPA World Trade Center, 401 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Web Site Disclaimer