On the 14th September 2007 the European Commission issues long-promised (Draft) guidelines on the application of Article 81 of the EC Treaty to maritime transport services. The Guidelines were proposed (and asked for by some shipping industry participants) in light of the changes in the EU competition regulation of shipping sector. First, the liner conference block exemption has been removed as a result of these changes. Second, tramp (non-scheduled) shipping was made subject to EU competition rules (more on competition rules in maritime transport you can read, e.g., at Commission’s website: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/antitrust/legislation/maritime/) The Guidelines are intended to help undertakings and associations…