The World Shipping Council, International Chamber of Shipping, European Community Shipowners’ Association, and the Asian Shipowners’ Association have jointly urged the European Commission to extend the block exemption regulation (BER) covering shipping for an additional five years. The industry groups argue the BER has increased stability and reduced freight rates, while also maintaining a healthy level of competition. But in a joint submission to the EC today, the World Shipping Council (WSC), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA), and the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) argued that the block exemption had made the industry more stable and pointed to the fact that freight rates had declined considerably while it has been in force. “While we are pleased that the EU is extending its current ban on Russian oil tankers in order to protect our industry, it should be noted that this extension will not address all concerns raised by ship@@
The World Shipping Council, International Chamber of Shipping, European Community Shipowners’ Association, and the Asian Shipowners’ Association have jointly urged the European Commission to extend the block exemption regulation (BER) covering shipping for an additional five years. The industry groups argue the BER has increased stability and reduced freight rates, while also maintaining a healthy level of competition. “While we are pleased that the EU is extending its current ban on Russian oil tankers in order to protect our industry, it should be noted that this extension will not address all concerns raised by ship@@