FMC meets with regulators from China, Europe

Discussions in Brussels focused on the global trend towards increased ocean carrier cooperation and regulatory and policy issues related to ports.    FMC Chairman Mario Cordero met with regulators from the European Union and China in Brussels Thursday to discuss antitrust and regulatory issues in maritime transport.
   “The discussions focused on the global trend towards increased cooperation in the liner shipping market, as well as on regulatory and policy issues related to ports,” the FMC said in a statement following the meetings. “With the continued growth in scope of carriers’ cooperation, the authorities considered that monitoring of the sector warrants ever closer contact and better communication between competition and regulatory authorities. Delegates also discussed their respective enforcement activities and highlighted each authority’s priority issues such as port congestion.”
   The regulators issued a joint statement saying, “Today’s exchanges have been a valuable opportunity to foster cooperation between our three authorities. We have identified areas of common importance and we look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue.”
   European and Chinese regulators met in a similar summit meeting in December 2013 at the FMC headquarters in Washington.