Brussels, 22/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 14 December, the Commission decided to abolish block exemption that allows maritime shipping lines, organised in cartels since 1870 with “maritime conferences”, to escape competition rules under Article 81 banning restrictive trading practice under EEC Regulation 4056/86. According to the Commission, the authorisation of carriers to fix prices and jointly regulate capacities did not meet the conditions set. This repeal will be beneficial for...