NYK Line leaves ELAA

NYK Line leaves ELAA    Japanese ocean carrier NYK Line has followed the lead of compatriot carriers MOL and 'K' Line in dropping out the European Liner Affairs Association.
   According to the Jan. 21 Federal Register, the three Japanese carriers have been deleted as parties to the Container Trade Statistics Agreement, formed in the wake of the ban on liner conferences to and from Europe in October 2008. The ELAA, which fought on behalf of liner carriers for antitrust immunity in Europe, has evolved to become a compiler and disseminator of container trade statistics. The note came in a filing to the Federal Maritime Commission.
   MOL left the ELAA at the beginning of 2009 — it also left the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement — while 'K' Line said it was leaving the ELAA in July. 'K' Line and NYK remain members of the TSA, which applies to eastbound transpacific container trade.
   Members of the Container Trade Statistics Agreement, according to the Federal Register filing, are China Shipping, CMA CGM, COSCO Container Lines, CSAV, Evergreen, Hamburg S'd, Hanjin Shipping, Hyundai Merchant Marine, ICL, Maersk Line, MSC, OOCL, PIL, UASC, Yang Ming and Zim.
   NYK Line was not immediately available for comment.