Potentially this could cause problems for shipping pools in the bulker and tanker trades though most industry representatives believe at least most pools will be found to operate within the regulations.
Intertanko notes that the decision to repeal Regulation 4056/86 and consequently bring the non-liner sector within the scope of regulation 1/2003 has long been expected.
The tanker grouping says that, although, non-liner shipping has no two-year grace period it hopes that the Commission will be cautious in its application of the rules also for the tramp sector, particularly as far as fines are concerned. Intertanko points to an absence of relevant jurisprudence in the field of EU competition rules and tramp shipping,.
Intertanko says it, together with other industry associations, will actively participate in the process with the aim of assisting the Commission in producing viable guidelines which are well suited to the realities of the shipping markets.