DEVELOPING COUNTRIES DRAFT CONFERENCE CODE

Third world countries have agreed on a draft resolution to regulate maritime transport costs, freight rates and establish a code of conduct for the international shipping liner conference system. The draft resolution recommended a 1973 conference of plenipotentiaries to prepare (on the basis of their resolution) "A code of conduct for the liner conference system to be adopted by the governments of all countries in a manner that is binding on them and can be suitably enforced." The fundamental objectives of the code were the promotion of world trade and a new structure of world shipping "in which the merchant marines of developing countries play an increasing and substantial role." In addition it was "to protect the interests of shippers, especially in developing countries by creating a balance of rights and responsibilities between the parties to maritime transport." In principle future freight rates must be consistent with the trade objectives of developing countries and liner conferences shall consult with shippers, shippers' organizations and governments concerned including those in land-locked countries, before taking decisions affecting their interests. The conference practices must not involve any discrimination against trade and shipping interests of developing countries. The draft resolution asked for a greater share of cargo to be granted to third world countries to help boost their merchant marines, equal treatment of developing countries shipping conferences and a halt to retaliation against developing countries who "protect and promote their national merchant marines." The resolution urged UNCTAD to help create a policing system of the code of conduct and establish penalties for offenders. "Freight rates should be quoted on a port-to-port basis as far as existing base ports are concerned, and rates for other ports should be expressed as appropriate percentages above and below the rates applying for the nearest base ports."

• Corporate Authors:

  Lloyd's Corporation

  Lime Street
  London EC3M 7HA,   England 
• Publication Date: 1972-5-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 2 p.
• Serial:
  • Lloyd's Loading List
  • Publisher: Lloyd's Corporation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cooperation; Freight traffic; International; International compacts; International trade; Liner shipping; Markets; Policy; Shipping conferences
• Old TRIS Terms: Conference rates; Freight markets; International shipping policies
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Policy;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00035931
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Journal of the Israel Shipping Research Institute
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 20 1973 12:00AM