§1703. Agreements within scope of chapter

(a) Ocean common carriers

This chapter applies to agreements by or among ocean common carriers to-

(1) discuss, fix, or regulate transportation rates, including through rates, cargo space accommodations, and other conditions of service;

(2) pool or apportion traffic, revenues, earnings, or losses;

(3) allot ports or restrict or otherwise regulate the number and character of sailings between ports;

(4) limit or regulate the volume or character of cargo or passenger traffic to be carried;

(5) engage in exclusive, preferential, or cooperative working arrangements among themselves or with one or more marine terminal operators or non-vessel-operating common carriers;

(6) control, regulate, or prevent competition in international ocean transportation; and

(7) regulate or prohibit their use of service contracts.

(b) Marine terminal operators

This chapter applies to agreements (to the extent the agreements involve ocean transportation in the foreign commerce of the United States) among marine terminal operators and among one or more marine terminal operators and one or more ocean common carriers to-

(1) discuss, fix, or regulate rates or other conditions of service; and

(2) engage in exclusive, preferential, or cooperative working arrangements.

(c) Acquisitions

This chapter does not apply to an acquisition by any person, directly or indirectly, of any voting security or assets of any other person.

( Pub. L. 98–237, §4, Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 70 .)

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 1704 of this Appendix.