News
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has welcomed the news that the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is recommending, provisionally, that the Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER) should lapse when it expires on April 25, 2024.
Steve Parker, Director General of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), says:
“The decision follows October’s news that the European Commission (EC) would not extend the Consortia Block Exemption Regulation,” said Steve Parker, director-general of BIFA. “So, we are pleased that the CMA has effectively reversed that decision and reached the same conclusion as the European Commission.”
“The CMA is looking for further feedback by December 15th on this provisional recommendation, before it presents its final decision to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade,” he continued. “The shipping lines have hit out against the EC judgement, and we understand that they have been lobbying in London for the U.K. to retain some form of CBER.”
“Given the possibility that the shipping lines will make new submissions to the CMA, BIFA will be working with our members to provide further argument that supports the decision to let the CBER lapse,” Parker added.
