Transport Online – EU: no anti-competitive behavior at high container prices
BRUSSELS – The European Union has identified “no anti-competitive behaviour” in container transport controls on the part of container carriers since the start of the corona pandemic. Brussels last year to conduct further research into prices in response to the sharp price increases of sea containers.
Freight transport to and from China was severely disrupted at the start of the corona crisis. Port terminals in China were locked and many other places on sea containers than usual. Many container ships were also taken out of service.
The rapid recovery of the economy and world trade resulted in a capacity shortage in sea transport. The prices of the transport of sea containers from China will end from summer to almost USD 14,000 (more than EUR 12,000) 2000 per container, from approximately USD in November 2020.
According to the EU, the current rules are to prevent unfair practices of distortion of competition in container transport. However, the EU is still exchanging information with industry and other parties in order to improve the control system. Also, Brussels will review the antitrust exemption for the cooperation between the shipping companies that ends in 2024.