The Malaysia Competition Commission (“MyCC”) has launched a public consultation on the application for the renewal of the Block Exemption Order for Vessel Sharing Agreements (VSAs) in respect of liner shipping services under section 9(b) of the Competition Act 2010 (“the Act”).
The announcement by MyCC (“the Announcement”) is accessible here.
The existing Block Exemption Order (“BEO”), which came into effect on 7 July 2022, is set to expire on 6 July 2025. The Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (“MASA”) and Shipping Association Malaysia (“SAM”) submitted an application for renewal of the BEO to MyCC on 5 May 2025. The applicants seek:
a) a BEO;
b) an extension of the VSA block exemption period to five (5) years; and
c) to remove certain holdover provisions from the 2014 BEO, specifically the removal of provisions regarding “information concerning pricing or tariff of the liner shipping services through transportation by sea” as VSAs do not involve discussions about charges.
MyCC has published a Preliminary Assessment Report on its website (accessible here) and is inviting members of the public and relevant stakeholders to provide written feedback on the application until 25 June 2025.
If you or your enterprise are involved in or affected by liner shipping services, you may wish to put in a written submission to MyCC before 25 June 2025 via the designated portal on MyCC’s website or email to ced@mycc.gov.my.
