G6 could get FMC decision in April
The US Federal Maritime Commission, FMC, now has the next 45 days to respond to the G6 alliance about whether it can expand its collaboration on US services or not, as the alliance has now submitted the additional information requested by the FMC, according to an FMC Twitter update:
"G6 Alliance’s confidential response to FMC's request for additional information received and under review," says the FMC.
This means that the authority will have to respond by the end of April, at the latest, where G6 will then be able to expand its services if the alliance expansion is approved by the authority. The FMC "stopped the clock" in January, citing concerns about the carriers' independence, and the authority then requested further information from G6. FMC member Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. cast the deciding vote in favor of making the G6 alliance submit additional information.
P3 alliance divides US interests
"It is imperative the Commission fully understands the implications of what has been proposed. Of particular concern is how the proposed Service Centers will operate autonomously of the parties to the Agreement, and how the five members of the Alliance belonging to the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) will act independently from the one lone independent carrier in setting rates for certain routes covered by the Agreement," he said at the time.
P3 has also submitted additional information to the FMC earlier this month, and the new alliance could expect a potential approval in March.
Americans concerned about G6 independence
The G6 carriers - American President Lines, Ltd. (APL), Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine Company (HMM), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) - filed an application with the FMC on December 2nd last year, concerning permission to expand their cooperation on all major routes between Asia and the US West Coast, and between Europe, the Mediterranean, and the US Gulf Coast.
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