ELAA happy with European Parliament vote on Kratsa report

ELAA happy with European Parliament vote on Kratsa report    The Brussels-based ocean carrier lobby group European Liner Affairs Association, said it was pleased with the recent vote by the European Parliament in favor of Greek Rapporteur Rodi Kratsa’s report covering amendments to Regulation 4056/86.
   Regulation 4056/86 grants liner conferences an exemption to set common freight rates and cooperate on capacity.
   Kratsa’s report recommended a number of the alternative proposals put forward by the ELAA including the establishment of a price index. “In addition the same amendment urges the commission to take account of our suggestion to establish discussion forums through which carriers, shippers and other industry interests may interact,” said Chris Bourne, executive director of the ELAA. “On the whole we believe the Parliament’s amendments to the report are helpful in establishing a valid alternative to the current block exemption.”
   The ELAA is working on a revised package to put forward to the EC soon. The EC is expected to put forward its proposal to end abolish the block exemption next week.