Brussels, 14/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the Commission published a White Paper on 'maritime conferences'' exemption from competition rules. A Council regulation of 1986 gave shipping companies the option of grouping together to set prices and share out capacity. The scheme initially aimed at better market organisation to ensure stable freight prices, but the White Paper condemns the system and Mario Monti stated that shipping companies had benefitted from an over-generous exemption scheme for a very long time but the scheme must now be re-examined.
Following consultations with industry launched in March 2003, the Commission is considering the utility of preserving, amending or scrapping the exemption scheme, aware of the importance of shipping to EU industry (75% of EU exports by volume are transported by sea). The Competition Commissioner said he was encouraged by the constructive attitude of shipping companies and urged them to consider different forms of co-operation respecting the interests of manufacturing industry and consumers. The White Paper, for example, mentions a different instrument - guidelines to supplement other exemptions enjoyed by consortiums and alliances. The Commission wishes to hold discussions with shippers and manufacturing industry, who are invited to supply comments before 15 December.
The new Commission will formalise legislative proposals in 2005, but in line with her code of conduct, Neelie Kroes will not be able to deal with this issue since she held business interests in shipping in the past, when she was a member of the surveillance council of the Dutch company Royal P&O Nedlloyd.