HYDE PLANS U.S. HEARINGS ON LINES’ ANTITRUST IMMUNITY

   U.S. representative Henry Hyde, R-Ill., says he’ll follow through on his pledge to hold congressional hearings on antitrust immunity for ocean carriers.
   The U.S. Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which takes effect May 1, permits
carriers to continue their decades-old practice of jointly setting rates.
During congressional debate last year, Hyde warned that the combination of
antitrust immunity and confidential shipper/carrier service contracts could
lead to abuse.
   Hyde said the House Judiciary Committee, which he chairs, will examine
the issue during the current Congress.
   In preparation for those hearings, he asked the Federal Maritime
Commission for results of its recent investigation of transpacific
carriers. That FMC report claimed members of the Transpacific Stabilization
Agreement, a carrier group with antitrust immunity, forced small shippers
to pay premiums to obtain ship space.