European Shippers Council

Lines and shippers clash over CBER extension

Αs the European Commission considers renewing the Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER) that enables current container shipping alliances to operate, liner operators and shippers are once again locking horns.

The review is being done ahead of the existing CBER expiring on 25 April 2024.

The World Shipping Council (WSC), representing liner operators, said in a statement on 4 October that the CBER is an essential regulatory tool that yields significant benefits to the EU, with no downside...

https://container-news.com/lines-and-shippers-clash-over-cber-extension/

Angry shippers call on EC to review ‘disturbing developments’ in box shipping

European shippers have again renewed calls for the European Commission to review its competition policy regulating the liner sector, as they continue to face equipment shortages, restricted vessel capacity and sky-high freight rates.
Today the European Ceramic Industry Association, Cerame-Unie, which represents members in 20 countries and covers sectors from construction products (bricks) and consumer goods to industrial process and cutting-edge technologies, issued a statement jointly with the...

https://theloadstar.com/angry-shippers-call-on-ec-to-review-disturbing-developments-in-box-shipping/

Shippers and forwarders mull legal bid against alliances to cap soaring rates

The European Commission has said it does not regard the huge container spot rate increases between Asia and Europe as sufficient justification to investigate carriers for an infringement of the Block Exemption Regulation (BER) for consortia.
The European Shippers’ Council (ESC) and European freight forwarder association CLECAT had presented the EC with data relating to the increase in blank sailings, a decrease in reliability “and especially the outrageous price hikes that …

The post Shippers...

https://theloadstar.com/shippers-and-forwarders-mull-legal-bid-against-alliances-to-cap-soaring-rates/

Shippers and forwarders claim carriers breach contracts to demand higher rates

As Asia-Europe container spot rates continue to skyrocket, shippers and freight forwarders are accusing carriers of breaching short- and long-term contracts to “charge whatever they want”.
In a joint letter to the Competition Directorate of the European Commission (EC), the European Freight Forwarders Association (CLECAT) and European Shippers’ Council (ESC) have protested about the “damage” the carriers’ behaviour is “causing to trade growth at a time of economic recession”.
According to the …

T...

https://theloadstar.com/shippers-and-forwarders-claim-carriers-breach-contracts-to-demand-higher-rates/

More box ships skip UK hub ports and forwarders urge EC to intervene

As carriers continue to leave import containers stranded at North European ports and charge exporters more than $5,000 to ship a box to Asia, the pressure is growing for regulatory intervention.
And UK importers today face major challenges from the decision by Ocean Alliance members to divert five more vessels from Felixstowe to Zeebrugge in December.
An advisory on Friday told UK customers that the Cosco Shipping Azalea, Ever Goods, Ever Globe, CSCL Jupiter and CSCL …

The post More box ships...

https://theloadstar.com/more-box-ships-skip-uk-hub-ports-and-forwarders-urge-ec-to-intervene/

Yang Ming Q3 profit adds fuel to shipper fury at carriers’ ‘immoral’ strategy

Taiwanese ocean carrier Yang Ming moved into the black in the third quarter for the first time in over two years, it said today.
However, the return to group profitability for the carrier, and the bumper returns for the sector in general, has angered shippers who accuse container lines of taking advantage of supply chain pinch points to increase rates.
Despite an 11% drop in its liftings, to 1.28m teu, in the …

The post Yang Ming Q3 profit adds fuel to shipper fury at carriers’ ‘immoral’ strategy

https://theloadstar.com/yang-ming-q3-profit-adds-fuel-to-shipper-fury-at-carriers-immoral-strategy/

Opponents rally at news that EC consortia BER could be re-evaluated next year

Opponents of the EC’s recent decision to allow the liner shipping industry to continue to enjoy its exemption from antitrust consortia regulation until 2024, will not have to wait long to again voice their opposition.
In response to question from German MEP Tiemo Wolken, competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager (pictured above) defended the decision to renew the Block Exemption Regulation (BER), but revealed that stakeholder comments could be sought as early as …

The post Opponents rally at...

https://theloadstar.com/opponents-rally-at-news-that-ec-consortia-ber-could-be-re-evaluated-next-year/

Growing demand for space pushes carriers to reinstate blanked voyages

As demand for container shipping appears set to increase, the top priority for shippers is securing space on vessels and container equipment, according to a new survey of European Shippers’ Council members.
The survey, conducted in conjunction with Drewry Supply Chain Advisors, also found shippers were becoming increasing nervous about the financial position of their transport providers.
Philip Damas, head of the logistics practice at Drewry, said: “These are key factors of carrier and …

The...

https://theloadstar.com/growing-demand-for-space-pushes-carriers-to-reinstate-some-blanked-voyages/

Shipping’s customers and suppliers demand EC rethinks BER extension

The liner shipping industry’s block exemption from EU competition law has come under renewed attack from the sector’s customers and suppliers.
A joint submission from freight forwarding association CLECAT, port operator group FEPORT, rail group UIRR, barge operators’ association EBU and shipper representatives Global Shippers Forum and European Shippers Council calls on the EC to reconsider extending the Block Exemption Regulation (BER) until April 2024.
“Not only has the commission largely...

https://theloadstar.com/shippings-customers-and-suppliers-demand-ec-rethinks-ber-extension/

Shippers increasingly unhappy with the performance of shipping lines

Shippers and forwarders are increasingly dissatisfied with the performance of shipping lines, according to a new survey. 
This is in direct contrast to air freight, where 16% of shippers were “very happy”with their transport provider, against 6% of box line customers. 
Lack of clarity on container line charges, transit times and reliability scored the lowest on the satisfaction survey, carried out by Drewry and the European Shippers’ Council.
Overall, ocean carrier customer …

The post Shippers...

https://theloadstar.com/shippers-increasingly-unhappy-with-the-performance-of-shipping-lines/

+ More
Join Our Newsletter
Enter your email to receive a weekly round-up of shipping news.
icon
By subscribing, you agree with our privacy policy and our terms of service.