The shipping industry is divided on yesterday’s announcement by the EC that it will not renew the Consortia Block Exemption Rule (CBER) for liners, reports loadstar.
World shipping council
John Butler, president & CEO of liner lobby group the World Shipping Council, said: “We disagree with the logic behind the decision to discontinue the CBER. The shift to general EU antitrust rules will create a period of uncertainty as carriers adjust to the new legal structure.”
International chamber of shipping
The International Chamber of Shipping added: “The decision … puts the EU out of step with other jurisdictions worldwide and will only add to current economic uncertainty for maritime carriers and their customers as they work to adjust to this new legal framework.But it is significant that DG COMP has said that it continues to recognise the benefits of liner shipping consortia and vessel-sharing agreements, which lead to economies of scale and better use of space on vessels with associated efficiency benefits passed on to the users of shipping services in terms of better coverage of ports and better services.”
However, Nicolette van der Jagt, director general of forwarder association Clecat welcomed the decision, and said: “We are pleased that the commission has listened. Freight forwarders have long resisted the granting of these extraordinary exemptions to shipping lines and have opposed a renewal of the block exemption…at previous reviews. ”
Clecat said: “Carriers operating to or from the EU will assess the compatibility of their co-operation agreements with general EU antitrust rules based on the extensive guidance provided in the Horizontal Block Exemption Regulation and Specialisation Block Exemption Regulation.”
WSC’s Mr Butler added: “Vessel-sharing agreements will remain a fully legal and supported way for carriers to ensure efficient and sustainable transport for Europe. WSC is carefully reviewing the basis for the commission’s position and looks forward to further dialogue to ensure regulatory clarity.”
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Source : Loadstar
