Shippers urge carriers to get together

Shippers have come out in support of shipping line alliances as long as they strike a balance between competition, efficiency, cost savings and do not set rates.

The Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) announced its support for alliances after the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) said it was considering how to harmonise members’ shipping regulations and had commissioned a report into alliances.

The GSF, which has passed on its views to Apec, said: “While the shipper organisation recognises the current financial problems of the lines in this current recession, governments cannot ignore the longer-term picture or the principles of competition policy.

“The GSF believes in promoting efficiencies and customised services for their customers. Working together, GSF believes that shippers and carriers can achieve competitive and efficient relationships.”

Nicolette van der Jagt, secretary general of the European Shippers’ Council (ESC), supported the recommendations.

She said: “While consortia agreements, alliances, and other non-rate making agreements can promote carrier efficiencies, the end result must not hinder the economies of the marketplace."

John Lu, chairman of the Asian Shippers’ Council, added: “Such support for non-rate making agreements should be conditioned on governments being able to examine these agreements and that they serve to promote efficiency as well as competition in the marketplace.”

Apec is an inter-governmental forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.