Shippers urge carriers to get together

Shippers have come out in support of shipping line alliances as long as they strike a balance between competition, efficiency, cost savings and do not set rates.

The Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) announced its support for alliances after the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) said it was considering how to harmonise members’ shipping regulations and had commissioned a report into alliances.

The GSF, which has passed on its views to Apec, said: “While the shipper organisation recognises the current financial problems of the lines in this current recession, governments cannot ignore the longer-term picture or the principles of competition policy.

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