Brussels, 27/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has invited governments and professionals to submit their observations on the application of competition rules in the maritime transport sector. Current European rules provide for antitrust immunity for maritime companies belonging to maritime conferences (groups which provide regular international goods transport services, usually between Europe, and North America and the Far East). The aim is to see whether extension of this immunity, granted over 15 years ago and which allows companies to fix prices, share capacity and form other kinds of agreement, is justified. "The Commission will want to see whether the Liner Conference Regulation results in reliable and efficient scheduled shipping services that meet the requirements of transport users, as was the legislator's initial aim", said Commissioner Monti. The contributions received will allow the Commission, in a second phase, to propose a series of political options in the form of a white or a green paper, and then to present its legislative proposals, if need be. Interested parties have until 3 June to give their position (http: //europa.eu.int/comm/competition/general_info/consultation.html).