Rules of Membership
All PCN Members are bound by the Rules of Membership and must ensure compliance with these rules. The rules were updated in July 2018 to align more closely with the structure of our network and simplified where possible to make them more user-friendly.
The Spirit of PCN
Our goal is for Project Cargo Network Ltd (PCN) to consist of highly professional and pro-active heavy lift and project cargo specialists who actively work together “within the spirit of PCN” which is to:
- Respond to emails within 24 hours
- Pay invoices on time and in full
- Communicate if things go wrong
- Give Members the opportunity to quote on new business
1 General Rules
1.1. Project Cargo Network Ltd (PCN) comprises of each company registered on the Membership List.
1.2. Members must be privately owned companies, partnerships or corporations, who have the capacity and experience to handle full scale project cargo and heavy lift.
1.3. Project Cargo Network will not recruit more than 5 Members in each country with the exception of 8 in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Turkiye, UAE and USA.
1.4. The PCN President reserves the right to re-define an area represented by an existing Member if they consider that realignment to be in the best interest of the PCN Members as a whole. If the realignment affects an area where a Member already exists, this Member will have the option for 1 (one) month to apply for the new territory and then 3 (three) months to provide supporting documentation to the PCN President.
1.5. Members may only represent countries where they have a wholly owned and operated office.
1.6. Members may not promote within the PCN (an) office(s) or sister company, either wholly or partly owned or not, in any area where a PCN Member already exists.
1.7. A company shall cease to be a Member of the PCN if:
- the Member gives notice of resignation in writing to the PCN President (fees will not be refunded), or:
- the PCN President considers that the Member is not able to perform fully all the functions and operations required to satisfy other Members, or:
- that any detrimental behaviour for PCN or its Members is exposed, or:
- that they consider that the Member has falsely claimed the services, which they are unable to perform, or:
- the Member does not adhere to the Rules of Membership.
1.8. All new Members are subject to a probationary period of 12 months to assess their abilities and commitment to PCN.
1.9. The Application Procedure may be reviewed or modified at any time by the PCN President.
1.10. Members accept and understand that all transactions are undertaken at their own risk and judgment and that, under no circumstances, can PCN be held responsible.
1.11. Members are requested to add the PCN logo and name onto their company stationery, including website, letterhead and business cards.
1.12. When a company ceases to be a Member, the company must no longer use the name or logo of PCN.
1.13. It is preferred that PCN Members do not to belong to, or be actively associated with, any company, group, association or organisation which is deemed by the PCN President to be in competition with PCN and/or its Members. The PCN President reserves the right to expel a Member(s) if it is felt that the company is not reciprocating business with PCN Members and/or working within the spirit of PCN.
1.14. Members pledge to perform all services undertaken on the client's behalf in a conscientious, diligent and professional manner.
1.15. Members pledge to hold in strict confidence, all information acquired during the relationship concerning the business and the affairs of their client. No such information is to be released unless authorised by the client or required by law.
1.16. Participation in the annual PCN Quality Control Survey is mandatory, and submissions must be provided to the PCN Head Office within the date assigned and the guidelines provided.
1.17. By submitting company news, photos, logos or press releases to the PCN Head Office, implicit permission is automatically given for the PCN Head Office to use the material in group promotion, website and newsletter use is granted.
2 Membership Fee
2.1. The Annual Membership Fee, which covers one calendar year is payable by each Member in accordance with the deadline illustrated on their invoice. If payment is not received on the date given, a GB £50 supplement will be applied. If full payment (inclusive of the supplement) is not then received after 14 days, the Member will automatically be excluded.
2.2. The Annual Membership Fee may be increased at any time during the year (the increase shall not exceed 10% once per year).
2.3. Members who recommend other qualified project cargo and/or heavy lift companies to join PCN will gain a Recommendation Commission of 20% discount from their next Annual Membership Fee upon full payment of the successful applicant’s invoice.
2.4. No part of the Annual Membership Fee will be refunded in the event of a Member’s expulsion or resignation.
3 Conduct between Members
3.1. Members are to communicate efficiently and promptly (within a maximum of 24 hours) with their fellow Members.
3.2. Members are obliged to offer all new business to their fellow partners for quoting and must actively support their fellow PCN Members to generate new business.
3.3. Members are to agree costs and payment terms before bookings are made; keep each other updated on shipment statuses and provide prompt advice of any problems that may arise.
3.4. For efficient communication, we suggest that the subject line in email messages between Members should begin with “PCN” followed by the name of the city of origin, and then followed by the subject of the email. For example: “PCN: Sydney – Machinery to Stuttgart”.
4 Payments between Members
4.1. Unless alternative terms are mutually agreed between both parties, payments between Members must not exceed 30 days from the invoice date.
4.2. If a Member defaults on Rule 4.1, the PCN Head Office reserves the right to place the Member on Default Alert and notify all Members via the PCN Mailing List.
4.3. To ensure smooth cash flow and to prevent overdue payments, Members are encouraged to enter the details of all outgoing invoices to fellow PCN Members into the PCN Payment Monitoring System.
4.4. All payments must be made in the currency that is marked as payable on the invoice. The sender must pay all relevant bank charges so that the full amount on the invoice is received.
4.5. The PCN Head Office and PCN President cannot be held responsible in case of commercial and/or financial obligations that are not met by (a) PCN Member(s).
4.6. To avoid fraudulent scams, Members are to be extra cautious when transferring funds. Members are requested to telephone the management of the PCN Member for verbal clarification of any amendments, including changes of bank accounts.
5 Annual Summit
5.1. Each member must nominate at least one representative to attend the PCN Annual Summit. One year’s grace will be given. However, failure to attend two consecutive PCN Annual Summit’s may result in expulsion (at the discretion of the PCN Head Office). This rule will be strictly enforced as attendance is one of the most important aspects of active Membership.
5.2. Failure to attend may result in immediate expulsion and there will be no right of appeal (unless there are serious mitigating factors acceptable to the PCN President).
5.3. Members must submit proof of serious mitigating factors validating their inability to attend. However, conflicting commitments such as other engagements or meetings, or the failure to obtain a visa in time, will not be considered valid explanations for non-attendance.
5.4. Representatives attending the Annual Summit must be fully employed by a PCN Member either on a full or part-time basis and not employed by any other company. Breach of this condition will result in the immediate cancellation of attendance with no refund.
5.5. Only fully paid registered delegates with official conference lanyards are permitted to enter the meeting room.
Governing Law
The Rules of Membership, your use of the website www.projectcargonetwork.com and any other information are governed by the Laws of England. By using www.projectcargonetwork.com you submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England. You irrevocably agree that the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute which may arise out of, under, or in connection with the Rules of Membership, your use of the website www.projectcargonetwork.com and any other information.
