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Three US carriers seek anti-trust exemption in Caribbean trade
来源： 编辑：编辑部 发布：2020/03/30 11:35:14
THREE American container carriers - Crowley Liner Services, Seaboard Marine and King Ocean - have applied to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for a coronavirus emergency anti-trust exemption on US-Caribbean trade, reports Paris-based Alphaliner.
Such would give the shipping lines scope to match capacity with an expected decline in demand as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
"The proposed agreement would authorise Crowley, King Ocean and Seaboard to discuss and agree upon the removal of one or more vessels from their trades, the coordination of timetables, sailing dates, frequency of sailings and the carrying capacity offered by each of them," said Alphaliner.
But the proposal does not cover the US-Puerto Rico route, which is classified as a domestic trade and continues to be regulated by the Jones Act.
However, it would allow the three carriers to charter space from each other on an ad hoc basis in an effort to stem losses that could come from the variety of challenges that coronavirus is likely to create.
"Overall, the measures are geared toward helping the carriers face operational challenges that may result from the coronavirus outbreak. These could include declining cargo volumes, quarantine regulations, restrictions on crew travel, limited operations in ports and at terminals and others," Alphaliner said.
Seaboard Marine has a fleet of 26 ships, totalling 43,000 TEU; Crowley has 17 vessels, amounting to 20,000 TEU; and King Ocean has a combined capacity of 10,000 TEU across 11 ships, according to Alphaliner.
Such would give the shipping lines scope to match capacity with an expected decline in demand as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
"The proposed agreement would authorise Crowley, King Ocean and Seaboard to discuss and agree upon the removal of one or more vessels from their trades, the coordination of timetables, sailing dates, frequency of sailings and the carrying capacity offered by each of them," said Alphaliner.
But the proposal does not cover the US-Puerto Rico route, which is classified as a domestic trade and continues to be regulated by the Jones Act.
However, it would allow the three carriers to charter space from each other on an ad hoc basis in an effort to stem losses that could come from the variety of challenges that coronavirus is likely to create.
"Overall, the measures are geared toward helping the carriers face operational challenges that may result from the coronavirus outbreak. These could include declining cargo volumes, quarantine regulations, restrictions on crew travel, limited operations in ports and at terminals and others," Alphaliner said.
Seaboard Marine has a fleet of 26 ships, totalling 43,000 TEU; Crowley has 17 vessels, amounting to 20,000 TEU; and King Ocean has a combined capacity of 10,000 TEU across 11 ships, according to Alphaliner.