The world's top three container lines - Maersk, CMA CGM and MSC - should know on Friday if their revolutionary P3 vessel-sharing scheme will be approved by the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).
If three of the five commissioners vote in favour of P3 in its present form, then it will go ahead, but they could also ask for certain changes before it is given approval, said Lloyd's List.
If they vote against, the FMC would have to seek a court injunction to block it, but this step is rarely taken.
If cleared by the FMC, the P3 still needs approval from the Chinese authorities before they can start operating a joint fleet in the big three east-west trades. In Europe, the three lines have to self-assess to satisfy themselves that they are not in breach of competition law.
Shippers have raised fresh concerns about the P3 before the FMC vote. The Global Shippers' Forum has called on regulators to fully investigate the impact on price and service of the P3, and to make appropriate changes to ease competition concerns.
At its third annual meeting in Los Angeles last week, the GSF urged both the FMC and the European competition authorities "to adopt appropriate measures to ensure that the P3 Global Alliance is unable restrict competition, reduce choice or influence rates resulting from its potential dominant position".
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