The move marks a departure from the usual procedure at the Commission, which has been voting to accept comments filed after the deadline.
Commissioner William Doyle applauded the decision. "It’s important to allow the shipping public and stakeholders the opportunity to comment on an alliance such as this that comprises the world’s three largest container ship carriers,” said Doyle.
"I would like to hear from stakeholders who are comfortable with the proposed alliance and those that may not be comfortable with the proposed alliance; and if stakeholders believe the P3 filing needs more clarity and/or other assurances, then I would like to hear their ideas in this regard."
The agreement was filed on 24 October by Maersk Line, CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), and “authorizes the parties to share vessels and engage in related cooperative activity in the trades between Asia, North Europe, and the Mediterranean on one hand, and U.S. on the other hand."
Commissioner Doyle yesterday participated in “productive" discussions with Maersk Line chief trade and marketing officer Vincent Clerc, MSC vp Diego Aponte, and CMA CGM executive officer Rodolfo Saadé. "I am looking forward to reviewing the FMC’s staff analysis on the proposed alliance and following up with additional questions to the P3 principals,” Doyle concluded.
The P3 Network will operate a capacity of 2.6 million TEU (initially 255 vessels) on three trade lanes: Asia - Europe, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic.
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