Economic Regulation of the Container Shipping Industry

The regulatory framework for the liner shipping industry has been changing rapidly in recent years and the container shipping businesses which provide scheduled services along principal trade routes have faced unprecedented challenges to cope with the transformation. The leading carriers are also transforming their own structural features by either purchasing larger ships or entering into mergers and acquisitions as well as forming operational arrangements such as transnational alliances and container consortia. These developments in the industry are regarded as crucial to the maintenance of a stable, regular and long term commitment to support the provision of scheduled services along these major trade routes.

This book examines the economic regulatory framework of the container liner shipping industry in the context of the industry's leading role in international trade and transport. It explores the consequences of the actions of shipping companies in their interpretations of the regulatory framework for such scheduled operations and provides a theoretical framework to allow the industry to incorporate future regulatory changes.

Cadrul de reglementare pentru industria de transport maritim de linii s-a schimbat rapid in ultimii ani, iar companiile de transport maritim de containere care furnizeaza servicii programate de-a lungul principalelor rute comerciale s-au confruntat cu provocari fara precedent pentru a face fata transformarii. Transportatorii de varf isi transforma, de asemenea, propriile caracteristici structurale, fie prin achizitionarea de nave mai mari, fie prin incheierea de fuziuni si achizitii, precum si prin formarea de aranjamente operationale, cum ar fi aliante transnationale si consortii de containere.