FMC Chairman Calls for Summit With EU, China to Discuss P3 Impact

    Oct.23 -- Mario Cordero, chairman of the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, has called on fellow regulators in the European Union and China to join him in a global regulatory summit on the proposed P3 Network.

　　The summit would take place in Washington, D.C., allowing regulators to discuss their respective roles in considering the impact of the announced alliance among Maersk Line, CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Co. The three container lines announced they would begin cooperating in 2014 on the Asia to Europe trade lane, as well as trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic routes to North America, subject to regulatory approval.

　　Other FMC commissioners have also joined in on the call for the summit:

　　“One of my concerns relates to media reports that a combined east-west fleet of 346 vessels will be reduced to 255 vessels once the proposed Alliance is consummated,” said Commissioner William P. Doyle, in a written statement. “I am interested in learning more about the impact this Alliance will have on services provided to consumers, shippers and U.S. terminal operations.”

　　Commissioner Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. stated: “It is clear this Alliance is moving forward as if it has already met regulatory approval despite the lack of any significant filing with regulatory authorities in Europe, China or the U.S. Pushing behind the scenes and placing positive stories with the press is not a substitute for proper consideration of the consequences of this massive carrier alignment.”

　　“Like my fellow commissioners, I am keeping an open mind about the parameters and impact of this Agreement until it can be fully analyzed,” added Cordero. “Once this agreement is filed, I envision all members of our American maritime industry – shippers, importers, exporters, consumers, ports, unions, intermodal entities — to fully express their views to the commission in written comments or open hearings as to how this Alliance of foreign flag carriers would affect our waterborne commerce.”