COM(2004)675 - White Paper on the review of Regulation 4056/86, applying the EC competition rules to maritime transport

official title

 

Legal instrument	White paper
Decision making procedure	Own-initiative procedure (INI)
reference by COM-number333	COM(2004)675
Additional COM-numbers	SEC(2004)1254
procedure number335	2005/2033(INI)
CELEX number336	52004DC0675

This page is also available in a full version containing the latest state of affairs, the summary of the European Parliament Legislative Observatory, the legal context, other dossiers related to the dossier at hand, the stakeholders involved (e.g. European Commission directorates-general, European Parliament committees, Council configurations and even individual EU Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament) and finally documents of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission.

• 1. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 2. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 3. 

  Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 4. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 5. 

  OECD Secretariat report of April 2002, Competition policy in liner shipping, p. 74-80, available at www.oecd.org/dataoecd/13/46/2553902.pdf.
  
   
• 6. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 7. 

  Ad hoc Advisory Committee of 25 March 2002.
  
   
• 8. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 9. 

  See e.g. Case T-86/95, Companie Générale Maritime,
   
• 10. 

  Hard-core restrictions are generally considered as restrictions of competition by object caught by Article 81(1) of the Treaty, which generally do not fulfil the conditions for an exemption under Article 81(3) of the Treaty.
  
   
• 11. 

  See TAA, EATA, Revised TACA decisions of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53) and Commission press release of 14.11.2022, IP/02/1677.
  
   
• 12. 

  See TAA, FEFC, TACA, Rev TACA decisions of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.1.2003, p. 53) and Commission press release of 14.11.2022, IP/02/1677.
  
   
• 13. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 14. 

  Joined Cases T-191/98 and T-212/98 to T-214/98 TACA
   
• 15. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 16. 

  See to that effect implicitly para 139 of Case T-17/93, Matra, ECR
   
• 17. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 18. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 19. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 20. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 21. 

  Case T-395/94, TAA
   
• 22. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 23. 

  To compare, see for example Regulation 823/2000 on Consortia (OJ L 100 of 20.4.2000 p. 24), Regulation 1400/2002 on motor vehicles and Regulation 2790/1999 on vertical agreements (OJ L 336 of 29.12.1999, p. 21), in which the Commission explicitly referred to the experience acquired in the sector concerned which enabled it to define categories of agreements which could be regarded as normally satisfying the conditions laid down in Article 81(3).
  
   
• 24. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 25. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 26. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 27. 

  See for a further description of the situation in those jurisdictions the annex to this paper.
  
   
• 28. 

  Liner shipping services are defined by ELAA in its Proposal as 'the transport of goods on a regular basis on a particular route or routes between ports and in accordance with timetables and sailing dates advertised in advance and available, even on an occasional basis, to any transport user against payment, and ancillary activities' (compare Article 2(2) of Regulation 823/2000).
  
   
• 29. 

  ELAA Final Proposal of 6 August 2004, available at
  
   
• 30. 

  For a more detailed description of the ELAA proposal reference is made to the annex.
  
   
• 31. 

  At least a liner conference in the sense of a group of two or more vessel-operating carriers providing liner services under uniform or common freight rates (compare the definition of a liner conferences in Article 1(3)(b) of Regulation 4056/86).
  
   
• 32. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 33. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 34. 

  Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 35. 

  Regulation 1/2003 replaced as from 1 May 2004 the procedural provisions of Regulation 4056/86. The exclusion of cabotage and tramp from the scope of Regulation 4056/86 has in fact since 1 May 2004 no longer any practical meaning.
  
   
• 36. 

  To avoid any misunderstanding, the substantive competition rules (Article 81 and 82 EC) are applicable also to these services. The exclusion is limited to the competition implementing rules, in other words: Regulation 1/2003 is not applicable to tramp and cabotage.
  
   
• 37. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 38. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 39. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 40. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 41. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 42. 

  Compare TACA decision of 16 September 1998, OJ L 95 of 9.4.1999, p. 1) para 93-95.
  
   
• 43. 

  A consortia is a form of operational co-operation between liner companies, see for consortia para 38.
  
   
• 44. 

  OECD Secretariat report of April 2002, Competition policy in liner shipping, available at www.oecd.org/dataoecd/13/46/2553902.pdf. p. 19. and ELAA submission of 18 June 2003 to DG Competition's consultation paper available at
   
• 45. 

  These trades are ranked first (Far East-Europe), second (Transatlantic route, with the US), and sixth (Australia and New Zealand) of all trades to and from the EU.
  
   
• 46. 

  The 7 members of TACA are: AP Moller/Maersk (DA), Atlantic Container Line AB (US), Hapag-Lloyd Container Line GmbH (DE), Mediterranean Shipping Co S.A. (SWISS), Nippon Yusen Kaisha NYK Line (Japan), Orient Overseas Container Line (China) and
   
• 47. 

  The 15 members of FEFC are: ANL Container Lines Pty Ltd (Australian but fully owned subsidiary to CMA CGM France), CMA CGM SA (FR), APL Co Pte Ltd. (Singapore), Egyptian International Shipping Co., Hapag-Lloyd Container Linie GmbH (DE), Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd. (Korea), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (Japan), Maersk SeaLand (DA), Malaysia International Shipping Corporation Berhad, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (Japan), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (Japan), Norasia Container Lines Ltd (Hong Kong), Orient Overseas Container Line (Hong Kong), P
   
• 48. 

  The 7 members of TEANZC are: Australia National Line - ANL, Consortium Hispania Lines (ES), Contship Containerlines (UK), Hamburg-Suedamerikanische Dampfschiffahrts Gesellschaft Eggert
   
• 49. 

  ELAA response of 18 June 2003 to the consultation paper, page 68, available at
   
• 50. 

  See in particular Commission decisions of 19 October 1994 (TAA, OJ L 376 of 31.12.1994 p. 1), 21 December 1994 (FEFC, OJ L 378 of 31.12.1994 p. 17), 16 September 1998 (TACA, OJ L 95 of 09.04.1999, p. 1), 30 April 1999 (EATA, OJ L 193 of 26.07.1999), 16 May 2000 (FETTSCA, OJ L 268 of 20.10.200, p. 1). For the Court judgments see in particular: Case T-86/95, Companie Générale Maritime,
   
• 51. 

  Revised TACA decision of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53) and Commission press release of 14.11.2022, IP/02/1677.
  
   
• 52. 

  Canada has also recently re-examined the case for antitrust immunity or exemption. The outcome, as laid down in the amended Shipping Conferences Exemption Act, is largely similar to the United States.
  
   
• 53. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 54. 

  Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 55. 

  See for further details www.fmc.gov.
  
   
• 56. 

  There are a number of discussion agreements that operate in several Australian trades which are currently registered under Part X, including the Asia-Australia Discussion Agreement (AADA). The exemption granted to this agreement is currently being re-examined by the Australian Competition Authority (ACCC). See position paper of the ACCC of April 2004, available at www.accc.gov/au.
  
   
• 57. 

  See for further details www.pc.gov.au/.
  
   
• 58. 

  The Programme is a result of the request by Ministers in 1995 that the OECD should embark on a study of the reform of regulatory regimes in OECD countries. The review of liner shipping has a parallel in a similar OECD review of air cargo transport.
  
   
• 59. 

  DSTI/DOT/MTC(99)8, 19.5.1999.
  
   
• 60. 

  DSTI/DOT(2002)2, 16.4.2002.
  
   
• 61. 

  Report, pages 69 and 76.
  
   
• 62. 

  See e.g. Case T-86/95, Companie Générale Maritime,
   
• 63. 

  Hard-core restrictions are generally considered as restrictions of competition by object caught by Article 81(1) of the Treaty, which generally do not fulfil the conditions for an exemption under Article 81(3) of the Treaty.
  
   
• 64. 

  See TAA, EATA, Revised TACA decisions of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53) and Commission press release of 14.11.2022, IP/02/1677.
  
   
• 65. 

  See TAA, FEFC, TACA, Rev TACA decisions of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53) and Commission press release of 14.11.2022, IP/02/1677.
  
   
• 66. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 67. 

  Joined Cases T-191/98 and T-212/98 to T-214/98 TACA
   
• 68. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 69. 

  See to that effect implicitly para 139 of Case T-17/93, Matra, ECR
   
• 70. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 71. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 72. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 73. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 74. 

  Case T-395/94, TAA
   
• 75. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 76. 

  To compare, see for example Regulation 823/2000 on Consortia (OJ L 100 of 20.04.2000 p. 24), Regulation 1400/2002 on motor vehicles and Regulation 2790/1999 on vertical agreements (OJ L 336 of 29.12.1999, p. 21), in which the Commission explicitly referred to the experience acquired in the sector concerned which enabled it to define categories of agreements which could be regarded as normally satisfying the conditions laid down in Article 81(3).
  
   
• 77. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 78. 

  See in particular the ELAA technical paper on burden of proof of 3.12.2003.
  
   
• 79. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 80. 

  See TACA decision of 16 September 1998 (OJ L 95 of 09.04.1999, p. 1), para 332-367, EATA decision of 30 April 1999 (OJ L 193 of 26.07.1999) para 107-142.
  
   
• 81. 

  For a more detailed discussion of the economic theories in this regard reference is made to the above mentioned discussion paper, available on DG Competition's web-site
   
• 82. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 83. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 84. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 85. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 86. 

  Commission Notice - Guidelines on the application of Article Article 81(3) of the Treaty (OJ C 101 of 27.04.2004 p. 97) .
  
   
• 87. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 88. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 89. 

  See TAA decision of 19 October 1994 (OJ L 376 of 31.12.1994, p. 1), para 388. See also FEFC decision of 21 December 1994 (OJ L 378 of 31.12.1994 p. 17), para 129: reliable services are those which are of a reasonable quality, such that the shipper's goods come to no harm, and at the same price irrespective of which day and which line is chosen to carry the cargo. Reliability in the supply of transport services is the maintenance over time of a scheduled service, providing shippers with the guarantee of a service suited to their needs.
  
   
• 90. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 91. 

  Service contracts, such as e.g. individual service contracts (ISCs) on the transatlantic trade, are contracts by which a shipper undertakes to provide a minimum quantity of cargo to be transported by an individual carrier over a fixed period of time and the carrier commits to a certain rate or rate schedule as well as a defined service level.
  
   
• 92. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 93. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 94. 

  See for further details the DG Competition discussion paper para 26 and 95-103.
  
   
• 95. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 96. 

  Compare the TAA decision of 19 October 1994 (OJ L 376 of 31.12.1994 p. 1), para 485 and the FEFC decision of 21 December 1994 (OJ L 378 of 31.12.1994, p. 17) ,para 121, where the Commission, with regard to inland carrier haulage services, concluded that collective price fixing was not essential for the provision of these services since many independent carriers offered equivalent or similar services outside the framework of a conference and without fixing prices in common with any other line for the provision of carrier haulage services.
  
   
• 97. 

  The US Ocean Shipping and Reform Act (OSRA) of 1998 allowed shippers and carriers on US trades to enter into confidential contracts without prior notice.
  
   
• 98. 

  On the transatlantic trade the vast majority of liner shipping cargo (up to 90%) is nowadays transported through service contracts (ISCs). Also on the Europe/Australia and New Zealand trade the majority (75-80%) of cargo, according to ELAA, moves under contracts. (ELAA submission of 18 June 2003 available europa.eu.int/comm/competition/antitrust/review According to the ELAA service contracts are common on all trades (ELAA submission of 30 June 2004 to the Commission's consultation document on Regulation 823/00.
  
   
• 99. 

  TACA decision of 16 September 1998 (OJ L 95 of 09.04.1999 p. 1, para 472-476.
  
   
• 100. 

  In many cases, members of a consortium are also members of a conference. However, a consortium can also be composed entirely of otherwise independent lines or it can include both conference and non-conference members. Consortia are under certain conditions covered by the block exemption of Regulation 823/2000, provided that they do not fix prices.
  
   
• 101. 

  The Consortia block exemption will expire on 25 April 2005 and DG COMP has in May 2004 published a paper on its web-site in order to consult the industry and Member States on possible options for the future regime of consortia. The consultation paper is published against the background of the ongoing review of the Maritime Regulation. What possible consequences the on-going review process of the Maritime Regulation might entail for the Consortia Block Exemption cannot yet be foreseen. Accordingly and awaiting the results of the review of the Maritime Regulation renewal of Regulation 823/2000 (with only minor modifications that are independent from the Review of Regulation 4056/86) would appear the most appropriate option at this stage.
  
   
• 102. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 103. 

  For example, on the Transatlantic trade the market share of independents has increased from about 39% in 1994 to about 52% in 2001 (Revised TACA decision of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53), para 45 and table 1).
  
   
• 104. 

  E.g. TACA decision of 16 September 1998 (OJ L 95 of 09.04.1999, p. 1) .
  
   
• 105. 

  Also on the Europe/Australia and New Zealand trade the vast majority (75-80%) of cargo, according to the ELAA, moves under service contracts.
  
   
• 106. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 107. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 108. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 109. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 110. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 111. 

  This is also recognized by e.g. ELAA: .. 'a critical problem in examining both the effectiveness of the conference system and possible substitutes for it is one of history. The liner conference has been a fact of life in European (and, indeed, worldwide) shipping for centuries, and as such very little empirical evidence of alternatives exists. Economic theory and examples from other industries with similar characteristics must be called upon in order to forecast how liner shipping, its pricing structure and stability might function without conferences.'.... (CI March 2004, page 37).
  
   
• 112. 

  Including deep sea and short sea transport. For data on EU 15 see EU Energy and Transport in Figures - Statistical Pocketbook 2003, European Commission, DG Energy and Transport.
  
   
• 113. 

  See ELAA Response to the Commission Consultation Paper dated 18 June 2003, p. 48.
  
   
• 114. 

  The import shares based on volume in tons were: America 26%, Africa 25%, other Europe 23% and Asia 21%.
  
   
• 115. 

  Statistics in focus - theme 6/7 - 4/2004: Intra-and Extra-EU trade by sea.
  
   
• 116. 

  In the early Nineties only about 18% of tonnage of the top30 carriers were chartered. By 2000, the proportion had risen to 40% and currently 45%. See Lloyd's List, 29 July 2004, p. 5.
  
   
• 117. 

  See OECD report (2002), p. 47-49.
  
   
• 118. 

  Containerization International, November 2003, p. 57-61.
  
   
• 119. 

  See OECD report (2002), p. 49.
  
   
• 120. 

  OECD report (2002), p. 47.
  
   
• 121. 

  Annex to the Consultants' report, p. 95-96.
  
   
• 122. 

  Consultants' report, p. 3.
  
   
• 123. 

  ESCA answer to Consultation Paper dated 13 June 2003, p. 5.
  
   
• 124. 

  COM (2001) 0370, White Paper, 'European transport policy for 2010 : time to decide ', p 40.
  
   
• 125. 

  OECD Report on Regulatory Reform - Syntesis (1997), p. 11-12.
  
   
• 126. 

  DG TREN - Analysis of the European air transport industry 2002, Final Report December 2003, Contract number: B2-7040B-S07.17962.
  
   
• 127. 

  COM (2001) 706, 7th Report on the Implementation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Package.
  
   
• 128. 

  In Australia the Productivity Commission, the Australian Government's principal review and advisory body on microeconomic policy and regulation, is undertaking a review of Part X of the Trade Practices Act (1974) which is the regulatory regime for international liner cargo shipping operations in Australia. In the US the Free Market Antitrust Immunity Reform (FAIR) Act of 2001 has been issued.
  
   
• 129. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 130. 

  For instance, the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement ("TSA"), the discussion agreement which replaced the conferences in the Pacific trades, has a market share close to 85 percent.
  
   
• 131. 

  Discussion agreements in the US must be filed to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and are monitored by them. See www.fmc.gov.
  
   
• 132. 

  See www.accc.gov.au. The AADA was exempted under Part X of the Trade Practices Act 19974 but in April 2004 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a position paper which concludes that there should be a partial revocation of the exemption. Furthermore, it is currently being reviewed whether part X of the Trade Practice Act 1974 should continue.
  
   
• 133. 

  Compare the Commission's decision of 14 November 2002 in Revised TACA (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003 p. 53).
  
   
• 134. 

  Liner shipping services are defined by ELAA in its Proposal as 'the transport of goods on a regular basis on a particular route or routes between ports and in accordance with timetables and sailing dates advertised in advance and available, even on an occasional basis, to any transport user against payment, and ancillary activities' (compare Article 2(2) of Regulation 823/2000).
  
   
• 135. 

  ELAA Final Proposal of 6 August 2004, available at europa.eu.int/comm/competition/antitrust/others
  
   
• 136. 

  Bill of lading data comprises according to the ELAA data on load port/discharge port, volume (20'/40'/CMB), cargo details, shipper/consignee data and price.
  
   
• 137. 

  Defined by Cap Analysis (associated to ELAA) in its report on ancillary charges and surcharges of July 2003 as additional increase in charges that are triggered by or associated with the operation of moving containers, e.g. terminal handling charges (THC), demurrage costs, change of destination, special equipment and charges based on the nature of the cargo (dangerous, obnoxious, refrigerated etc).
  
   
• 138. 

  Defined by Cap Analysis in the above report (see fnt 72) as charges meant to cover uncertainties, such as the Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF), Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF), Congestion Surcharges and War risk Surcharge.
  
   
• 139. 

  Today both activities are exempted by Regulation 4056/86, although the Commission's decisional practice and the case law of the Court have made clear that Regulation 4056/86 should be interpreted narrowly and that only temporarily capacity adjustments for seasonal fluctuations are allowed (see e.g. Commission decisions TAA para 359-370
   
• 140. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 141. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 142. 

  For example, in the Revised TACA case the Commission examined the proposed arrangements for the exchange of information by the TACA parties and concluded that, following amendments to these arrangements, neither the TACA secretariat nor the TACA members will have access to non-aggregated carrier-specific information relating to cargoes travelling under individual service contracts and mutual service contracts and that the parties would exchange information relating to such cargoes only on an aggregated conference wide-basis (Revised TACA decision of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53) para 70-72).
  
   
• 143. 

  At least a liner conference in the sense of a group of two or more vessel-operating carriers providing liner services under uniform or common freight rates (compare the definition of a liner conferences in Article 1(3)(b) of Regulation 4056/86).
  
   
• 144. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 145. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 146. 

  Provided that the conditions set out in the Commission's Notice on guidance letters (OJ 101 of 27.04.2004, p. 78) are met.
  
   
• 147. 

  Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 148. 

  Regulation 1/2003 replaced as from 1 May 2004 the procedural provisions of Regulation 4056/86. The exclusion of cabotage and tramp from the scope of Regulation 4056/86 has in fact since 1 May 2004 no longer any practical meaning.
  
   
• 149. 

  Council Regulation No 411/2004 of 26.02.2004 (OJ L 68 of 6.3.2004, p. 1).
  
   
• 150. 

  Article 85 of the Treaty empowers the Commission, if it finds that there has been an infringement of the EC competition rules, to propose appropriate measures to bring it to an end and, if this is not done, record such infringement in a reasoned decision and authorise Member States to take the measures, the conditions and details of which it shall determine, needed to remedy the situation.
  
   
• 151. 

  See press release IP/03/284 of 26.02.2003.
  
   
• 152. 

  Judgment of 30.04.1986 in Cases from 209 to 213/84 Ministére public v Asjes
   
• 153. 

  The effect on trade concept is explained in detail in a newly adopted Commission notice, which also contains a de minimis rule indicating when a trade is generally not capable of appreciably affecting intra-Community trade (see Commission Notice Guidelines on the effect on trade concept contained in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty (OJ C 101 of 27.04.2004 p. 81).
  
   
• 154. 

  The exclusion for tramp vessel services only applies to such services that fulfils all of the five criteria set out in Article 1(3)(a) of the Regulation (i.e. transport of goods in bulk or in break-bulk in a vessel charted (wholly or partly) to one or more shippers on the basis of a voyage or a time charter on any other form of contract for non-regularly scheduled or non-advertised sailings where freight rates are freely negotiated case by case in accordance with the conditions of supply and demand) regardless of how the industry itself would qualify the service. Unlike the exclusion for maritime cabotage, the definition of tramp vessel services requires a thorough analysis of the specific service before one can determine whether it constitutes tramp vessel service within the meaning of the Regulation. This has naturally implications both for the industry as well as the competition authorities, who would both have to devote considerable resources into assessing the concept of tramp vessel services before determining which action could be taken and by whom.
  
   
• 155. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 156. 

  Compare Case T-229/94, Deutsche Bahn,
   
• 157. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 158. 

  See in this sense for example the Commission decisions in FEFC (OJ L 378, 31.12.1994, p. 17 par 66) and FETTCSA (OJ L 268, 20.10.2000, p. 1 par 146-147) with regard to provision for technical agreements in Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 1017/68 and Article 2(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 respectively.
  
   
• 159. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 160. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 161. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 162. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 163. 

  See in this regard also the Commission Notice on horizontal guidelines (OJ C 3 of 06.01.2001 p. 2), para 24.
  
   
• 164. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p. 1).
  
   
• 165. 

  See Council Regulation No 411/2004 of 26.02.2004 (OJ L 68 of 06.03.2004, p. 1).
  
   
• 166. 

  This view is shared by the OECD Maritime Transport Committee whose members 'considered that a conflict of law occurs when a particular agreement or particular conduct is required by one competition regime and is at the same time prohibited by another competition regime. See 'MTC conclusions on work on promotion of compatibility of competition policy applied to international liner shipping including multimodal transport with a maritime leg", OECD report, January 1998. www.oecd.org/dataoecd/39/56/1924198.pdf
  
   
• 167. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 168. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 169. 

  Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 170. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 171. 

  OECD Secretariat report of April 2002, Competition policy in liner shipping, p. 74-80, available at www.oecd.org/dataoecd/13/46/2553902.pdf.
  
   
• 172. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 173. 

  Ad hoc Advisory Committee of 25 March 2002.
  
   
• 174. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 175. 

  See e.g. Case T-86/95, Companie Générale Maritime,
   
• 176. 

  Hard-core restrictions are generally considered as restrictions of competition by object caught by Article 81(1) of the Treaty, which generally do not fulfil the conditions for an exemption under Article 81(3) of the Treaty.
  
   
• 177. 

  See TAA, EATA, Revised TACA decisions of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53) and Commission press release of 14.11.2022, IP/02/1677.
  
   
• 178. 

  See TAA, FEFC, TACA, Rev TACA decisions of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.1.2003, p. 53) and Commission press release of 14.11.2022, IP/02/1677.
  
   
• 179. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 180. 

  Joined Cases T-191/98 and T-212/98 to T-214/98 TACA
   
• 181. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 182. 

  See to that effect implicitly para 139 of Case T-17/93, Matra, ECR
   
• 183. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 184. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 185. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 186. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 187. 

  Case T-395/94, TAA
   
• 188. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 189. 

  To compare, see for example Regulation 823/2000 on Consortia (OJ L 100 of 20.4.2000 p. 24), Regulation 1400/2002 on motor vehicles and Regulation 2790/1999 on vertical agreements (OJ L 336 of 29.12.1999, p. 21), in which the Commission explicitly referred to the experience acquired in the sector concerned which enabled it to define categories of agreements which could be regarded as normally satisfying the conditions laid down in Article 81(3).
  
   
• 190. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 191. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 192. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 193. 

  See for a further description of the situation in those jurisdictions the annex to this paper.
  
   
• 194. 

  Liner shipping services are defined by ELAA in its Proposal as 'the transport of goods on a regular basis on a particular route or routes between ports and in accordance with timetables and sailing dates advertised in advance and available, even on an occasional basis, to any transport user against payment, and ancillary activities' (compare Article 2(2) of Regulation 823/2000).
  
   
• 195. 

  ELAA Final Proposal of 6 August 2004, available at
  
   
• 196. 

  For a more detailed description of the ELAA proposal reference is made to the annex.
  
   
• 197. 

  At least a liner conference in the sense of a group of two or more vessel-operating carriers providing liner services under uniform or common freight rates (compare the definition of a liner conferences in Article 1(3)(b) of Regulation 4056/86).
  
   
• 198. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 199. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 200. 

  Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 201. 

  Regulation 1/2003 replaced as from 1 May 2004 the procedural provisions of Regulation 4056/86. The exclusion of cabotage and tramp from the scope of Regulation 4056/86 has in fact since 1 May 2004 no longer any practical meaning.
  
   
• 202. 

  To avoid any misunderstanding, the substantive competition rules (Article 81 and 82 EC) are applicable also to these services. The exclusion is limited to the competition implementing rules, in other words: Regulation 1/2003 is not applicable to tramp and cabotage.
  
   
• 203. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 204. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 205. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 206. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 207. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 208. 

  Compare TACA decision of 16 September 1998, OJ L 95 of 9.4.1999, p.
  
  1) para 93-95.
  
   
• 209. 

  A consortia is a form of operational co-operation between liner companies, see for consortia para 38.
  
   
• 210. 

  OECD Secretariat report of April 2002, Competition policy in liner shipping, available at www.oecd.org/dataoecd/13/46/2553902.pdf. p. 19. and ELAA submission of 18 June 2003 to DG Competition's consultation paper available at
   
• 211. 

  These trades are ranked first (Far East-Europe), second (Transatlantic route, with the US), and sixth (Australia and New Zealand) of all trades to and from the EU.
  
   
• 212. 

  The 7 members of TACA are: AP Moller/Maersk (DA), Atlantic Container Line AB (US), Hapag-Lloyd Container Line GmbH (DE), Mediterranean Shipping Co S.A. (SWISS), Nippon Yusen Kaisha NYK Line (Japan), Orient Overseas Container Line (China) and
   
• 213. 

  The 15 members of FEFC are: ANL Container Lines Pty Ltd (Australian but fully owned subsidiary to CMA CGM France), CMA CGM SA (FR), APL Co Pte Ltd. (Singapore), Egyptian International Shipping Co., Hapag-Lloyd Container Linie GmbH (DE), Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd. (Korea), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (Japan), Maersk SeaLand (DA), Malaysia International Shipping Corporation Berhad, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (Japan), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (Japan), Norasia Container Lines Ltd (Hong Kong), Orient Overseas Container Line (Hong Kong), P
   
• 214. 

  The 7 members of TEANZC are: Australia National Line - ANL, Consortium Hispania Lines (ES), Contship Containerlines (UK), Hamburg-Suedamerikanische Dampfschiffahrts Gesellschaft Eggert
   
• 215. 

  ELAA response of 18 June 2003 to the consultation paper, page 68, available at
   
• 216. 

  See in particular Commission decisions of 19 October 1994 (TAA, OJ L 376 of 31.12.1994 p.
  
  1), 21 December 1994 (FEFC, OJ L 378 of 31.12.1994 p. 17), 16 September 1998 (TACA, OJ L 95 of 09.04.1999, p.
  
  1), 30 April 1999 (EATA, OJ L 193 of 26.07.1999), 16 May 2000 (FETTSCA, OJ L 268 of 20.10.200, p.
  
  1). For the Court judgments see in particular: Case T-86/95, Companie Générale Maritime,
   
• 217. 

  Revised TACA decision of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53) and Commission press release of 14.11.2022, IP/02/1677.
  
   
• 218. 

  Canada has also recently re-examined the case for antitrust immunity or exemption. The outcome, as laid down in the amended Shipping Conferences Exemption Act, is largely similar to the United States.
  
   
• 219. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 220. 

  Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 221. 

  See for further details www.fmc.gov.
  
   
• 222. 

  There are a number of discussion agreements that operate in several Australian trades which are currently registered under Part X, including the Asia-Australia Discussion Agreement (AADA). The exemption granted to this agreement is currently being re-examined by the Australian Competition Authority (ACCC). See position paper of the ACCC of April 2004, available at www.accc.gov/au.
  
   
• 223. 

  See for further details www.pc.gov.au/.
  
   
• 224. 

  The Programme is a result of the request by Ministers in 1995 that the OECD should embark on a study of the reform of regulatory regimes in OECD countries. The review of liner shipping has a parallel in a similar OECD review of air cargo transport.
  
   
• 225. 

  DSTI/DOT/MTC(99)8, 19.5.1999.
  
   
• 226. 

  DSTI/DOT(2002)2, 16.4.2002.
  
   
• 227. 

  Report, pages 69 and 76.
  
   
• 228. 

  See e.g. Case T-86/95, Companie Générale Maritime,
   
• 229. 

  Hard-core restrictions are generally considered as restrictions of competition by object caught by Article 81(1) of the Treaty, which generally do not fulfil the conditions for an exemption under Article 81(3) of the Treaty.
  
   
• 230. 

  See TAA, EATA, Revised TACA decisions of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53) and Commission press release of 14.11.2022, IP/02/1677.
  
   
• 231. 

  See TAA, FEFC, TACA, Rev TACA decisions of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53) and Commission press release of 14.11.2022, IP/02/1677.
  
   
• 232. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 233. 

  Joined Cases T-191/98 and T-212/98 to T-214/98 TACA
   
• 234. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 235. 

  See to that effect implicitly para 139 of Case T-17/93, Matra, ECR
   
• 236. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 237. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 238. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 239. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 240. 

  Case T-395/94, TAA
   
• 241. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 242. 

  To compare, see for example Regulation 823/2000 on Consortia (OJ L 100 of 20.04.2000 p. 24), Regulation 1400/2002 on motor vehicles and Regulation 2790/1999 on vertical agreements (OJ L 336 of 29.12.1999, p. 21), in which the Commission explicitly referred to the experience acquired in the sector concerned which enabled it to define categories of agreements which could be regarded as normally satisfying the conditions laid down in Article 81(3).
  
   
• 243. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 244. 

  See in particular the ELAA technical paper on burden of proof of 3.12.2003.
  
   
• 245. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 246. 

  See TACA decision of 16 September 1998 (OJ L 95 of 09.04.1999, p.
  
  1), para 332-367, EATA decision of 30 April 1999 (OJ L 193 of 26.07.1999) para 107-142.
  
   
• 247. 

  For a more detailed discussion of the economic theories in this regard reference is made to the above mentioned discussion paper, available on DG Competition's web-site
   
• 248. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 249. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 250. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 251. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 252. 

  Commission Notice - Guidelines on the application of Article Article 81(3) of the Treaty (OJ C 101 of 27.04.2004 p. 97) .
  
   
• 253. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 254. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 255. 

  See TAA decision of 19 October 1994 (OJ L 376 of 31.12.1994, p.
  
  1), para 388. See also FEFC decision of 21 December 1994 (OJ L 378 of 31.12.1994 p. 17), para 129: reliable services are those which are of a reasonable quality, such that the shipper's goods come to no harm, and at the same price irrespective of which day and which line is chosen to carry the cargo. Reliability in the supply of transport services is the maintenance over time of a scheduled service, providing shippers with the guarantee of a service suited to their needs.
  
   
• 256. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 257. 

  Service contracts, such as e.g. individual service contracts (ISCs) on the transatlantic trade, are contracts by which a shipper undertakes to provide a minimum quantity of cargo to be transported by an individual carrier over a fixed period of time and the carrier commits to a certain rate or rate schedule as well as a defined service level.
  
   
• 258. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 259. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 260. 

  See for further details the DG Competition discussion paper para 26 and 95-103.
  
   
• 261. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 262. 

  Compare the TAA decision of 19 October 1994 (OJ L 376 of 31.12.1994 p.
  
  1), para 485 and the FEFC decision of 21 December 1994 (OJ L 378 of 31.12.1994, p. 17) ,para 121, where the Commission, with regard to inland carrier haulage services, concluded that collective price fixing was not essential for the provision of these services since many independent carriers offered equivalent or similar services outside the framework of a conference and without fixing prices in common with any other line for the provision of carrier haulage services.
  
   
• 263. 

  The US Ocean Shipping and Reform Act (OSRA) of 1998 allowed shippers and carriers on US trades to enter into confidential contracts without prior notice.
  
   
• 264. 

  On the transatlantic trade the vast majority of liner shipping cargo (up to 90%) is nowadays transported through service contracts (ISCs). Also on the Europe/Australia and New Zealand trade the majority (75-80%) of cargo, according to ELAA, moves under contracts. (ELAA submission of 18 June 2003 available europa.eu.int/comm/competition/antitrust/review According to the ELAA service contracts are common on all trades (ELAA submission of 30 June 2004 to the Commission's consultation document on Regulation 823/00.
  
   
• 265. 

  TACA decision of 16 September 1998 (OJ L 95 of 09.04.1999 p. 1, para 472-476.
  
   
• 266. 

  In many cases, members of a consortium are also members of a conference. However, a consortium can also be composed entirely of otherwise independent lines or it can include both conference and non-conference members. Consortia are under certain conditions covered by the block exemption of Regulation 823/2000, provided that they do not fix prices.
  
   
• 267. 

  The Consortia block exemption will expire on 25 April 2005 and DG COMP has in May 2004 published a paper on its web-site in order to consult the industry and Member States on possible options for the future regime of consortia. The consultation paper is published against the background of the ongoing review of the Maritime Regulation. What possible consequences the on-going review process of the Maritime Regulation might entail for the Consortia Block Exemption cannot yet be foreseen. Accordingly and awaiting the results of the review of the Maritime Regulation renewal of Regulation 823/2000 (with only minor modifications that are independent from the Review of Regulation 4056/86) would appear the most appropriate option at this stage.
  
   
• 268. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 269. 

  For example, on the Transatlantic trade the market share of independents has increased from about 39% in 1994 to about 52% in 2001 (Revised TACA decision of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53), para 45 and table 1).
  
   
• 270. 

  E.g. TACA decision of 16 September 1998 (OJ L 95 of 09.04.1999, p.
  
  1) .
  
   
• 271. 

  Also on the Europe/Australia and New Zealand trade the vast majority (75-80%) of cargo, according to the ELAA, moves under service contracts.
  
   
• 272. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 273. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 274. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 275. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 276. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 277. 

  This is also recognized by e.g. ELAA: .. 'a critical problem in examining both the effectiveness of the conference system and possible substitutes for it is one of history. The liner conference has been a fact of life in European (and, indeed, worldwide) shipping for centuries, and as such very little empirical evidence of alternatives exists. Economic theory and examples from other industries with similar characteristics must be called upon in order to forecast how liner shipping, its pricing structure and stability might function without conferences.'.... (CI March 2004, page 37).
  
   
• 278. 

  Including deep sea and short sea transport. For data on EU 15 see EU Energy and Transport in Figures - Statistical Pocketbook 2003, European Commission, DG Energy and Transport.
  
   
• 279. 

  See ELAA Response to the Commission Consultation Paper dated 18 June 2003, p. 48.
  
   
• 280. 

  The import shares based on volume in tons were: America 26%, Africa 25%, other Europe 23% and Asia 21%.
  
   
• 281. 

  Statistics in focus - theme 6/7 - 4/2004: Intra-and Extra-EU trade by sea.
  
   
• 282. 

  In the early Nineties only about 18% of tonnage of the top30 carriers were chartered. By 2000, the proportion had risen to 40% and currently 45%. See Lloyd's List, 29 July 2004, p. 5.
  
   
• 283. 

  See OECD report (2002), p. 47-49.
  
   
• 284. 

  Containerization International, November 2003, p. 57-61.
  
   
• 285. 

  See OECD report (2002), p. 49.
  
   
• 286. 

  OECD report (2002), p. 47.
  
   
• 287. 

  Annex to the Consultants' report, p. 95-96.
  
   
• 288. 

  Consultants' report, p. 3.
  
   
• 289. 

  ESCA answer to Consultation Paper dated 13 June 2003, p. 5.
  
   
• 290. 

  COM (2001) 0370, White Paper, 'European transport policy for 2010 : time to decide ', p 40.
  
   
• 291. 

  OECD Report on Regulatory Reform - Syntesis (1997), p. 11-12.
  
   
• 292. 

  DG TREN - Analysis of the European air transport industry 2002, Final Report December 2003, Contract number: B2-7040B-S07.17962.
  
   
• 293. 

  COM (2001) 706, 7th Report on the Implementation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Package.
  
   
• 294. 

  In Australia the Productivity Commission, the Australian Government's principal review and advisory body on microeconomic policy and regulation, is undertaking a review of Part X of the Trade Practices Act (1974) which is the regulatory regime for international liner cargo shipping operations in Australia. In the US the Free Market Antitrust Immunity Reform (FAIR) Act of 2001 has been issued.
  
   
• 295. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 296. 

  For instance, the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement ("TSA"), the discussion agreement which replaced the conferences in the Pacific trades, has a market share close to 85 percent.
  
   
• 297. 

  Discussion agreements in the US must be filed to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and are monitored by them. See www.fmc.gov.
  
   
• 298. 

  See www.accc.gov.au. The AADA was exempted under Part X of the Trade Practices Act 19974 but in April 2004 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a position paper which concludes that there should be a partial revocation of the exemption. Furthermore, it is currently being reviewed whether part X of the Trade Practice Act 1974 should continue.
  
   
• 299. 

  Compare the Commission's decision of 14 November 2002 in Revised TACA (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003 p. 53).
  
   
• 300. 

  Liner shipping services are defined by ELAA in its Proposal as 'the transport of goods on a regular basis on a particular route or routes between ports and in accordance with timetables and sailing dates advertised in advance and available, even on an occasional basis, to any transport user against payment, and ancillary activities' (compare Article 2(2) of Regulation 823/2000).
  
   
• 301. 

  ELAA Final Proposal of 6 August 2004, available at europa.eu.int/comm/competition/antitrust/others
  
   
• 302. 

  Bill of lading data comprises according to the ELAA data on load port/discharge port, volume (20'/40'/CMB), cargo details, shipper/consignee data and price.
  
   
• 303. 

  Defined by Cap Analysis (associated to ELAA) in its report on ancillary charges and surcharges of July 2003 as additional increase in charges that are triggered by or associated with the operation of moving containers, e.g. terminal handling charges (THC), demurrage costs, change of destination, special equipment and charges based on the nature of the cargo (dangerous, obnoxious, refrigerated etc).
  
   
• 304. 

  Defined by Cap Analysis in the above report (see fnt 72) as charges meant to cover uncertainties, such as the Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF), Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF), Congestion Surcharges and War risk Surcharge.
  
   
• 305. 

  Today both activities are exempted by Regulation 4056/86, although the Commission's decisional practice and the case law of the Court have made clear that Regulation 4056/86 should be interpreted narrowly and that only temporarily capacity adjustments for seasonal fluctuations are allowed (see e.g. Commission decisions TAA para 359-370
   
• 306. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 307. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 308. 

  For example, in the Revised TACA case the Commission examined the proposed arrangements for the exchange of information by the TACA parties and concluded that, following amendments to these arrangements, neither the TACA secretariat nor the TACA members will have access to non-aggregated carrier-specific information relating to cargoes travelling under individual service contracts and mutual service contracts and that the parties would exchange information relating to such cargoes only on an aggregated conference wide-basis (Revised TACA decision of 14 November 2002 (OJ L 26 of 31.01.2003, p. 53) para 70-72).
  
   
• 309. 

  At least a liner conference in the sense of a group of two or more vessel-operating carriers providing liner services under uniform or common freight rates (compare the definition of a liner conferences in Article 1(3)(b) of Regulation 4056/86).
  
   
• 310. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 311. 

  SN 100/1/100.
  
   
• 312. 

  Provided that the conditions set out in the Commission's Notice on guidance letters (OJ 101 of 27.04.2004, p. 78) are met.
  
   
• 313. 

  Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 314. 

  Regulation 1/2003 replaced as from 1 May 2004 the procedural provisions of Regulation 4056/86. The exclusion of cabotage and tramp from the scope of Regulation 4056/86 has in fact since 1 May 2004 no longer any practical meaning.
  
   
• 315. 

  Council Regulation No 411/2004 of 26.02.2004 (OJ L 68 of 6.3.2004, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 316. 

  Article 85 of the Treaty empowers the Commission, if it finds that there has been an infringement of the EC competition rules, to propose appropriate measures to bring it to an end and, if this is not done, record such infringement in a reasoned decision and authorise Member States to take the measures, the conditions and details of which it shall determine, needed to remedy the situation.
  
   
• 317. 

  See press release IP/03/284 of 26.02.2003.
  
   
• 318. 

  Judgment of 30.04.1986 in Cases from 209 to 213/84 Ministére public v Asjes
   
• 319. 

  The effect on trade concept is explained in detail in a newly adopted Commission notice, which also contains a de minimis rule indicating when a trade is generally not capable of appreciably affecting intra-Community trade (see Commission Notice Guidelines on the effect on trade concept contained in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty (OJ C 101 of 27.04.2004 p. 81).
  
   
• 320. 

  The exclusion for tramp vessel services only applies to such services that fulfils all of the five criteria set out in Article 1(3)(a) of the Regulation (i.e. transport of goods in bulk or in break-bulk in a vessel charted (wholly or partly) to one or more shippers on the basis of a voyage or a time charter on any other form of contract for non-regularly scheduled or non-advertised sailings where freight rates are freely negotiated case by case in accordance with the conditions of supply and demand) regardless of how the industry itself would qualify the service. Unlike the exclusion for maritime cabotage, the definition of tramp vessel services requires a thorough analysis of the specific service before one can determine whether it constitutes tramp vessel service within the meaning of the Regulation. This has naturally implications both for the industry as well as the competition authorities, who would both have to devote considerable resources into assessing the concept of tramp vessel services before determining which action could be taken and by whom.
  
   
• 321. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 322. 

  Compare Case T-229/94, Deutsche Bahn,
   
• 323. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 324. 

  See in this sense for example the Commission decisions in FEFC (OJ L 378, 31.12.1994, p. 17 par 66) and FETTCSA (OJ L 268, 20.10.2000, p. 1 par 146-147) with regard to provision for technical agreements in Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 1017/68 and Article 2(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 respectively.
  
   
• 325. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 326. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 327. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 328. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 329. 

  See in this regard also the Commission Notice on horizontal guidelines (OJ C 3 of 06.01.2001 p.
  
  2), para 24.
  
   
• 330. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 of 22 December 1986 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport, OJ L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 24, as amended by Council Regulation 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 (OJ L 1 of 4.1.2003, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 331. 

  See Council Regulation No 411/2004 of 26.02.2004 (OJ L 68 of 06.03.2004, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 332. 

  This view is shared by the OECD Maritime Transport Committee whose members 'considered that a conflict of law occurs when a particular agreement or particular conduct is required by one competition regime and is at the same time prohibited by another competition regime. See 'MTC conclusions on work on promotion of compatibility of competition policy applied to international liner shipping including multimodal transport with a maritime leg", OECD report, January 1998. www.oecd.org/dataoecd/39/56/1924198.pdf
  
   
• 333. 

  De Europese Commissie kent nummers toe aan officiële documenten van de Europese Unie. De Commissie maakt onderscheid in een aantal typen documenten door middel van het toekennen van verschillende nummerseries. Het onderscheid is gebaseerd op het soort document en/of de instelling van de Unie van wie het document afkomstig is.
   
• 334. 

  De Raad van de Europese Unie kent aan wetgevingsdossiers een uniek toe. Dit nummer bestaat uit een vijfcijferig volgnummer gevolgd door een schuine streep met de laatste twee cijfers van het jaartal, bijvoorbeeld 12345/00 - een document met nummer 12345 uit het jaar 2000.
   
• 335. 

  Het interinstitutionele nummer is een nummerreeks die binnen de Europese Unie toegekend wordt aan voorstellen voor regelgeving van de Europese Commissie.
  Binnen de Europese Unie worden nog een aantal andere nummerseries gebruikt. Iedere instelling heeft één of meerdere sets documenten met ieder een eigen nummering. Die reeksen komen niet overeen met elkaar of het interinstitutioneel nummer.
   
• 336. 

  Deze databank van de Europese Unie biedt de mogelijkheid de actuele werkzaamheden (workflow) van de Europese instellingen (Europees Parlement, Raad, ESC, Comité van de Regio's, Europese Centrale Bank, Hof van Justitie enz.) te volgen. EURlex volgt alle voorstellen (zoals wetgevende en begrotingsdossiers) en mededelingen van de Commissie, vanaf het moment dat ze aan de Raad of het Europees Parlement worden voorgelegd.
   
• 337. 

  Als dag van bekendmaking van een Europees besluit geldt de dag waarop het besluit in het Publicatieblad wordt bekendgemaakt, en daardoor in alle officiële talen van de Europese Unie bij het Publicatiebureau beschikbaar is.