The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will not recommend to the Secretary that the current Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER) should be replaced by a UK equivalent when it expires on 25 April 2024.
The CMA analysed the deep sea container shipping market in detail. It concluded in November 2023 that the conditions did not warrant the continued existence of a CBER for UK maritime movements.
The CMA has concluded that self-assessment is the best and most effective way for shipping lines to co-operate.
The UK’s main trade association for freight forwarding and logistics companies has said that its members are extremely concerned that practices undertaken by container shipping lines, as well as easements and exemptions provided to them, have distorted the operations of the free market to the detriment of international trade, businesses and consumers.