The ongoing trend of consolidation in the ocean cargocarrier arena is being confronted with more scrutiny by regulatory agencies.
Two agreements related to the west coast and trade flows between the United States and Asia were addressed this week by the Federal Maritime Commission, as were recent developments regarding government linked ocean carriers.
The Commission went to closed session to receive confidential reports on the Trans-Pacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) and the West Coast Marine Terminal Operators Agreement (WCMTOA).
The FMC reviews agreements under the Shipping Act to assure that participating parties do not engage in anticompetitive behavior that results in unreasonable increases in rates or decreases in service, or other prohibited acts.
