| Series Title | European Voice |
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| Series Details | Vol.10, No.35, 14.10.04 |
| Publication Date | 14/10/2004 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 14/10/04 THE European Commission published a White Paper on liner shipping conferences in the hopes of stimulating competition in the maritime sector on Wednesday (13 October). As a result, the exemption the shipping industry has been benefiting from may come to an end in the near future. Since 1986, the sector has been transporting goods between the European Union and other regions at fixed rates. Liner shipping conferences, in which companies agree on a uniform freight rate, have exempted companies from competition rules, since it is believed that fixed freight rates bring stability assuring shippers of reliable freight services. But the paper suggests annulling this immunity. Commission Competition spokeswoman Amelia Torres suggested it was time to repeal the exemption. Meanwhile, the Commission issued an updated draft directive on ports. It said the law would offer clearer rules on access to the provision of port services and would also create a level playing field in competition between ports. The European Commission published a White Paper on liner shipping conferences on 13 October 2004. The document aims at stimulating competition in the maritime sector and could mean the end to the block exemption the shipping industry had been benefiting from. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Subject Categories | Internal Markets, Mobility and Transport |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
