NCBFAA BACKS BILL TO REPEAL ANTITRUST IMMUNITY

NCBFAA BACKS BILL TO REPEAL ANTITRUST IMMUNITY    National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America president Peter Powell lauded the revival of a U.S. House of Representatives bill to repeal ocean carriers’ antitrust immunity.
   Introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., the new chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, the bill is similar to last year’s legislation proposed by former Judiciary Committee chairman Henry Hyde, R-Ill. The bill has two co-sponsors, Hyde and Rep. Asa Hutchison, R- Ark.
   “The bill would strip ocean carriers of their ability to fix prices collectively — in    cartel fashion — and set other uniform terms and conditions for shipping,” Powell said.
   Introduction of the bill “makes it crystal clear that this legislation remains viable,” Powell said. “It shows the determination of the House committee with jurisdiction over antitrust matters to bring ocean carriage into the 21st Century.”
   “Antitrust immunity and cartel practices need to go the way of the dinosaur. Our global economy is based on an efficiently functioning market place. The carriers’ ability to act collectively is a throwback to a bygone era,” Powell said.