P3 alliance decision pushed back

The Federal Maritime Commission has pushed back a decision on whether to give the go-ahead for the P3 alliance between Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM. The United States shipping watchdog announced in a statement on its website that one of its commissioners had raised questions about the alliance before Friday’s deadline (December 6, 2013) for concerns to be submitted. The three shipping operators now have 45 days to address those questions. Cargo owners, including global importers and exporters, have been lobbying against the P3 amid concerns that they will lose any say in setting freight prices while smaller shipping companies fear that they may be forced out of business, reports Cargonews Asia.