Asian shippers' groups take aim at US maritime sheriff
American industry veteran pledges to probe any 'proof' of collusion by container lines
Richard Lidinsky Jnr may not be public enemy No 1, but then again neither is the straight-talking, no-nonsense chairman of the US Federal Maritime Commission seen by Asian shippers' organisations as their best friend.
If the shipping industry veteran and now US maritime "policeman" is bothered by the low opinion in which he and the commission are held by Asian shippers, then he hides it well.
Lidinsky, who was in Hong Kong last week after a trip to Shanghai to meet Zhang Ye, president of the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, tries through the commission to balance the competing interests of shipping lines and shippers.
It is not an easy role given the sometimes hostile relationship between carriers and shippers as lines try to push through freight rate increases that are resisted by shippers who accuse the lines of poor service.
Asian shippers' groups are especially aggrieved at the commission's - read Lidinsky's - apparent failure to tackle what John Lu, chairman of the Asian Shippers' Council, contends is cartelist behaviour by container lines in setting freight rates, freight increases and surcharges.
These carriers, which include the Tung family-controlled company Orient Overseas Container Line and Cosco Container Lines, have antitrust immunity under US law.
Most of the transpacific container lines also belong to two industry discussion groups that are legally allowed to meet, exchange market information and develop voluntary, non-binding guidelines for rates and charges.