SHIPPERS GROUPS OFFER OECD 7-POINT AGENDA

SHIPPERS GROUPS OFFER OECD 7-POINT AGENDA    The U.S. National Industrial Transportation League and several large shippers’ organizations from Canada, Asia and Europe have urged the Organization for Cooperation and Economic Development to continue its probe ocean carriers’ antitrust immunity.
   The shippers groups also urged the OECD to expand its maritime reform study to include:
   * Pricing in international ocean shipping.
   * Entry and exit from trade routes.
   * Ocean carriers’ financial position.
   * Industry cost structures and trends.
   * Market concentrations.
   * Activities of carrier discussion agreements.
   * The role of technology in reducing costs and increasing flexibility.
   The NIT League called the recommendations to the OECD an “unprecedented display of unity” among the world’s largest shippers’ organizations.
   The proposal by the NIT League and other shipper groups is at odds with ocean carriers, who urged the OECD to discontinue its investigation into the antitrust issue. The carriers say its still too early to address the antitrust issue in light of the enactment of the U.S. Ocean Shipping Reform Act.
   Ed Emmett, president of NIT League, said the U.S. reform law “produced clear benefits,” but it is important “that the dynamics of this (shipping) industry be examined globally.”
   “Knowledge is the most powerful tool for establishing sound transportation policies,” Emmett said.
   Supporters for the proposal to the OECD are the NIT League, the Japan Shippers’ Council, the European Shippers’ Council, Canadian Shippers’ Council, Hong Kong Shippers’ Council, Korean Shippers’ Council, Thai National Shippers’ Council, the Federation of ASEAN Shippers’ Councils, and the Singapore National Shippers’ Council.
   The united stand resulted from the Tripartite Shippers Group meeting held recently in Haifa, Israel, where Asian, European and North American shippers agreed that liner carriers' antitrust immunity required further scrutiny, the NIT League said.