CLECAT, the body representing European freight forwarders, logistics service providers and customs agents, has issued a statement explaining their objections to the proposed new liability regulations for ocean carriers the "Rotterdam Rules’. They are asking their members to urge the EU institutions and the European governments not to ratify the convention, which in their opinion would provide ‘hardly any additional benefit’ and would not work to the advantage of shippers and freight forwarders. The convention requires the signature of 20 UN member states to be ratified, and CLECAT is hoping that their lobbying power will persuade European governments not to sign.