Shipping Conference system for European trades ends 17th October 2008
The last day of the Liner Conference Block Exception under European Union regulation is 17th October 2008. From 18th October the liner industry will be exposed to full competition law.
Draft guidelines for the shipping industry allow, amongst other things, the operation of a trade association which may undertake demand forecasting and supply forecasting but only from information in the public domain. However, from 18th October, conference surcharges and ancilliary charges will be illegal, although shipping lines will be able to levy surcharges that they alone apply.
July 2008