ISRAELI SHIPPERS CONSIDER EC ACTION AGAINST ISRAEL/EUROPE CARRIERS

ISRAELI SHIPPERS CONSIDER EC ACTION AGAINST ISRAEL/EUROPE CARRIERS    The Israel Shipper Council is considering lodging a formal complaint with the European Commission against alleged anti-competitive practices of shipping lines in the Israel/northern Europe trade.
   Pninit Berman, deputy director of the council, said that the North Europe Israel Container Line introduced congestion surcharges in Israeli ports earlier this year without consulting users, as required. The council also believes that there has been collusion between the conference and non-conference carriers about setting the surcharge.
   “The conference and outsiders have the same charges,” she told American Shipper.
   Another source of complaint by the shipper body is that, following severe congestion delays in Israeli ports earlier this year, carriers “declared a termination of voyages,” canceled direct calls at Israeli ports and charged shippers for the extra costs, according to the Israel Shipper Council.
   The congestion charges were removed on Oct. 15, but the Israeli council is still considering legal action and has recently consulted lawyers in The Netherlands.
   The secretary of the North Europe Israel Container Line, a joint pricing agreement between Ellerman (Andrew Weir Shipping), Iscont Line, “K” Line, Navigation Maritime Bulgare, P&O Nedlloyd, Yangming Marine Transport and Zim Israel Navigation Co., would not comment on the development.