The European Shippers' Council has made an assessment of a report produced (16 February, 2012) by the US Federal Maritime Commission. The report reveals the study and conclusion into the impacts of the repeal of EU regulation 4056/86, the block exemption for liner shipping conferences from certain aspects of competition law.

The European Shippers' Council has made an assessment of a report produced (16 February) by the US Federal Maritime Commission. The report reveals the study and conclusion into the impacts of the repeal of EU regulation 4056/86, the block exemption for liner shipping conferences from certain aspects of competition law.

ESC Press release

ESC reactions to the FMC’s Study of the 2008 Repeal of the Liner Conference exemption from EU Competition Law

The threat to shipping and cargo remains serious from acts of piracy. In this position paper, European Shippers urge commitment from governments to protect shipping from this pirate threat.

ESC Customers’ charter for a Sustainable Liner Shipping Industry has been extended to address the growing requirement of environmental sustainability of the maritime supply chain.

ESC Position Paper in response to proposed measures to prevent loss of containers put forward by Australia, Denmark and the Netherlands to IMO - August 2011

ESC contribution to the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Shipping - July 2011

Errors in transport documents and invoices have been the bane of many shippers’ lives for too long.  in 2007 ESC invited representatives of the liner shipping industry and the freight forwarding community to look into the problems with shippers. They too recognised the issues and their members also suffered from their consequences. Jointly, a tool was developed to help shippers, freight forwarders (including 3PLs) and liner shipping companies reduce the errors in the production of transport documents and invoices and their consequential effects.

The tool consists of a guide to the key performance indicators that should be measured and monitored along the ‘documentation process chain’, from the time when the tender is made or a spot market quote is sought, through to the issuing of an invoice. Also included are definitions of what should be included in the performance measurements and some suggested best practice to help smooth the way to managing the processes and actions required to achieve error-free documentation.

ESC published in 2000 a voluntary code of best practice to promote quality shipping in the bulk shipping sector. The code is designed to assist shippers/and or charterers in determining the suitability of vessels for the carriage of their cargo.