Global Shipper` Forum demands tough anti-trust laws in Asia

Time:2010-09-13 Browse:41 Author:RISINGSUN

THE 2010 Global Shippers` Forum (GSF) in Macau has urged Asian governments to tighten anti-trust regulation in line with stricter regimes in Europe and the US as well as demands that the cost savings from slow steaming be shared.

"Anti-trust exemption for non-rate making agreements should be restricted to vessel sharing and other kinds of agreement that promote efficiency," said the post conference communique entitled Joint Global Shippers` Forum Declaration.


"In regard to slow steaming, shippers expect cost savings to be equitably shared and schedule reliability assured which is not presently the case. Slow steaming should not be used as a means of restricting or managing capacity to influence the functioning of a normal competitive market," said the declaration.


"Discussion agreements and other general trade wide agreements that have the capability to restrict competition should not have anti-trust exemption," said the declaration endorsed by the Asian Shippers` Council, the Canadian Industrial Transport Association, the European Shippers Councils and the Union of Africa Shippers Council..


Ocean shipping reform and continued regulatory oversight of carriers remains a key policy priority for the Global Shippers` Forum.


"The past year has witnessed a variety of unacceptable shipping practices, ranging from the imposition of abrupt and opportunistic rate increases and surcharges, cargo roll-overs, the limitation of shipping capacity and a general lack of adherence to rate agreements and contractual arrangements on an unprecedented global scale," said the declaration.


"This has resulted in major disruption to global supply chains, often resulting in delayed deliveries especially for time sensitive shipments. These practices have acted as a barrier to the development of international trade at a time when fostering global commerce is vital to economic recovery and supporting employment in response to the worst financial and economic crisis since the 1930s," the statement said.FAXTEXT = European Shippers Council secretary general Nocolette van der Jagt said: "We eagerly await the tabling of Congressman [James] Oberstar`s bill. This would achieve an impressive level of international harmonisation of competition policy regimes".


Other issues included recommendations for a clearer definition of the responsibilities for both buyers and sellers in regard to the terms issued by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), closer collaboration between forum and International Air Transport Association (IATA), as well as the support of the International Labour Organisation`s review into guidance concerning loading safety of containers.