Maritime Summit between Commission, US and China Boosts Cooperation

Contact: Karen V. Gregory, Secretary (202) 523-5725

Representatives from the maritime regulatory authorities of the European Union, the People’s Republic of China and the United States met today in Brussels to discuss antitrust and regulatory issues in maritime transport. The delegates confirmed their renewed intention to cooperate on these matters. Hosted by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, this was the second official meeting between the three authorities, following the first maritime regulatory summit that took place in Washington in December 2013.

The discussions focused on the global trend towards increased cooperation in the liner shipping market, as well as on regulatory and policy issues related to ports. With the continued growth in scope of carriers’ cooperation, the authorities considered that monitoring of the sector warrants ever closer contact and better communication between competition and regulatory authorities.

Delegates also discussed their respective enforcement activities and highlighted each authority’s priority issues such as port congestion.

The summit concluded with the following joint statement by the European Commission, the Federal Maritime Commission and the Chinese Ministry of Transport: “Today’s exchanges have been a valuable opportunity to foster cooperation between our three authorities. We have identified areas of common importance and we look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue.”

Chairman Cordero and representatives from the maritime regulatory authorities of the European Union, the People’s Republic of China at the Second Maritime Summit in Brussels.

The Federal Maritime Commission is the federal agency responsible for regulating the nation’s international ocean transportation for the benefit of exporters, importers, and the American consumer. The FMC’s mission is to foster a fair, efficient, and reliable international ocean transportation system while protecting the public from unfair and deceptive practices.