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"When
we see that the market is not good and our
fill factor is not what it should be, then
under the VSA agreements we have with each
of our partners, we then need to look at
it and take proper action. And we can discuss
this with them because they are our operational
partners," he said.
But
even so, Mr Saade admits that the restrictions
that Brussels has imposed on the container
shipping lines does make life difficult,
particularly for lines like themselves,
Maersk and CMA CGM, all of whom are based
in Europe.
The
senior CMA CGM executive also expressed
his concern that the European Commission
is focusing more on the Europe-based carriers
and less so on those lines headquartered
in Asia, even though they too operate services
to and from Europe.
There
has been much debate over the impacts that
the European Commission's judgement on inter-liner
dialogue¡Xthat there should be none at all¡Xhas
had on the industry. But regardless of what
side of the fence one sits on the reality
is that such dialogue could help to reduce
excessive market volatility through collective
action.
Mr
Saade agrees.
"I
believe at the time of the conferences at
least there was a discussion on the market
that did allow carriers to deal with their
business in a different way. Today we are
no longer in a position to talk and we have
to take the risk ourselves," he said.
Of
course the problem then arises with such
dialogue allowed is whether carriers will
use the opportunity to reduce competition,
ultimately impacting negatively on consumers¡Xin
this case European consumers.
But
what Mr Saade proposes is not just inter-liner
dialogue, but also deeper engagement with
the European Commission to allow them to
understand the needs of the liner community
so that a system may be developed that protects
consumers and yet allows the lines to operate
and make decisions without fear of sinking
into massive financial losses.
"I
believe that it would be good, especially
in difficult times for there to be more
communication, more dialogue with Brussels.
Maybe they do not understand well enough
our industry. Maybe we need to sit them
down and let them know.
"And
then maybe at the end of the day, if there
is good understanding, we may come up with
something different. But today there is
a total lack of dialogue with Brussels.
This is a pity," the CMA CGM executive
said.
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