Brussels, 10 October 2023 – Following the publication today of its CBER Staff Working Document, the European Commission’s DG COMP has announced that it will let the sector-specific Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER) lapse, and that liner shipping vessel sharing agreements will be regulated under the general EU antitrust rules based on the Horizontal Block Exemption Regulation and Specialisation Block Exemption Regulation. Vessel sharing is an operational measure allowing ocean carriers to use ships more efficiently whilst continuing to compete on price and other commercial terms.

Washington, Singapore, Brussels, London, 28 September 2023 – Despite industry and government efforts, dangerous cargo that has not been declared, or that has been incorrectly declared or labelled, continues to cause fires and explosions, hurting and killing vessel crew and transportation staff. In response to this continued safety challenge the World Shipping Council (WSC), representing liner carriers, is taking additional action to strengthen cargo safety standards and protect the lives of the people working in the supply chain, the environment, and the integrity of the global supply network.

Brussels, 21 September – The European Shipping Summit 2023 in Brussels 19-20 September brought together representatives from across the maritime industry, government, finance, as well as energy and technology industries to address some of the most pressing topics for the future of the industry and of Europe. Making the most of this unique platform, the World Shipping Council gathered people and organisations to drive progress on the availability of renewable maritime fuels and the fight against drug trafficking. While the topics are diverse, leaders at both sessions agreed – together we go further, faster.  

17 July 2023 – The international supply chain is probably one of the most complex networks man has created, carrying 250 million containers every year. Its safe and smooth functioning relies on everyone in the chain taking responsibility for the integrity and cleanliness of the container when in their care. To help address this, the revised Unified Container Inspection & Repair Criteria (UCIRC) published by BIC, ICS and WSC now includes inspection criteria for container depots and other container handover facilities to address pest contamination on and in containers.

London, 7 July 2023 – At MEPC 80, IMO member nations met the shipping industry’s call for action on climate, setting a target of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 and interim targets for 2030 and 2040. Most importantly, the updated GHG strategy now sets a clear timeline for the development of the lifecycle-based global fuel standard and economic instrument, to be agreed by 2025 and ready for implementation in 2027.

Washington/Singapore/Brussels/London, 22 May 2023 – The World Shipping Council (WSC) has released its annual report on containers lost at sea, revealing positive developments in container safety within the international liner shipping industry. The report covers the year 2022, showing that 661 containers were lost overboard during the year.  

In total 661 containers lost at sea in 2022, out of 250 million transported. This represents the lowest losses in % since the start of the survey in 2008. The improved numbers are positive news, but there is no time for complacency and we will continue our work to reduce the number of containers lost at sea. Safety is a job that never stops, and every container lost at sea will always be one too many.

As active members of the European Commission's Trade Contact Group (TCG), we have constantly engaged in a constructive manner to support the full implementation of the Union Customs Code (UCC) and have always recognized its essential role in sustaining compliant, effective and efficient international trade. Therefore, we are poised to work in the closest collaborative partnership with the European Commission, the European Parliament and all EU Member States to deliver a successful implementation of the UCC reform.

The Shipping Act establishes rules that provide legal certainty to ocean carriers to share space on ships while ensuring competitive markets. Being able to share space on ships allows more carriers to provide more services more efficiently to more ports than carriers could provide individually. That is good for shippers, ports, consumers, and all of the workers that keep the global supply network running. H.R. 1696 would remove that system and undermine competitiveness and choice for liner shipping services.

Every year, 241 million containers are transported across the seas with over 7 trillion dollars’ worth of food, clothes, electronics and other goods we all need. While crucial for the smooth functioning of the global supply chain, containers and their cargoes can also harbour and transfer contaminating pests. All parties in the supply chain have a shared responsibility for stopping the spread of pests by keeping cargo and containers clean when in their custody. The updated Prevention of Pest Contamination of Containers: Joint Industry Guidelines for the Cleaning of Containers published by BIC, COA, IICL and WSC provide easy-to-use best practices to help everyone carry out their responsibilities.

Jim Corbett, Environmental Director Europe for WSC comments on the conclusion of the FuelEU trilogue. “Today’s trilogue agreement on FuelEU Maritime is an important EU Green Deal policy for shipping. I am pleased to see that the regulation will evaluate fuels on their GHG performance across their full lifecycle. WSC worked with the parties for an effective, technology neutral regulation that will help drive the supply of alternative fuels and ensure real reductions in GHG emissions. We welcome the agreement announced today and will continue to work for effective FuelEU implementation that ensures that demand for renewable marine fuels in the EU region is matched by supply.”

The European Commission is currently evaluating the EU Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER) which provides vital legal certainty for the vessel sharing arrangements entered into by shipping lines to the benefit of their customers, trade and the environment.

Today, the World Shipping Council (WSC) and members of the European Commission’s Trade Contact Group (TCG) have published a joint statement on World Customs Day to honour the inaugural meeting of the Customs Co-operation Council on January 26 and commend the World Customs Organisation (WCO) for adopting the topic “Nurturing the Next Generation: Promoting a Culture of Knowledge Sharing and Professional Pride in Customs" for 2023.

The FMC Chairman today issued a statement that ascribes improper motivations to a regulatory comment about an important environmental issue that WSC and PMSA raised in the FMC’s detention and demurrage rulemaking.  We respectfully but categorically reject the Chairman’s characterization.  Our Petition for Review was submitted in the manner provided for in the rulemaking process, and as required by federal law and regulation.

Washington, Singapore/Brussels, 16 December 2022 – In its first in-person session in three years, the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee 79 (MEPC 79) addressed a broad array of issues, taking important steps forward on the path to impactful regulation to drive the decarbonisation of shipping.

This Petition for Review of the Commission’s Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding Docket No. 2022-0066 is being submitted on behalf of the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA).

Brussels, 9 December 2022 – In an open letter to decision-makers in Brussels, the World Shipping Council (WSC) together with Danish Shipping and the Methanol Institute urge decision-makers to reach an agreement on the FuelEU Maritime which will help reduce shipping GHG emissions.

The liner sector, including container and vehicle carriers, are leading decarbonisation investment in new fleets that are ready for alternative fuels that reduce GHGs. Future-ready fleets will be demanding more and more green fuels with lower GHG intensity to ensure that we meet decarbonisation targets.

An open letter to the EU Parliament, Commission and Council from Danish Shipping, Methanol Institute, and the World Shipping Council in connection with the FuelEU trilogue negotiations.

Green fuels are essential for the maritime sector to deliver on the EU Green Deal and the Paris Agreement. The technologies for making the green fuels exist, but production capacities must be scaled up to make the fuels available for shipping. FuelEU Maritime can provide the certainty needed to ensure investments in scaling up green fuels, but the ambitions need to be strengthened to send a clear market signal. Danish Shipping, Methanol Institute, and World Shipping Council therefore call for increasing the ambition in the FuelEU, maximising GHG-intensity reduction from 2035 to 2050 and supporting early use of green e-fuels.

Late 29 November 2022, the European Parliament, Council and Commission reached a preliminary agreement on maritime elements of the EU ETS. Including the maritime sector in the EU ETS will encourage shipping’s journey towards decarbonisation as well as accelerate emission reductions among non-maritime sectors. The provisional agreement on shipping is subject to an overall agreement on the ETS revision, later this year or next.

The total climate footprint from production to combustion should be considered in the EU ETS for maritime. The World Shipping Council joins with Danish Shipping and renewable energy producers, shipowners and other organisations in an open letter to EU’s decision makers.