Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) has called upon stakeholders and the public to offer feedback on the proposed block exemption application for vessel sharing agreements (VSAs), as detailed in its consultation document. This initiative marks a significant step in the regulatory process for liner shipping services.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MyCC stated that the applicants are requesting a five-year extension of the current block exemption for VSAs. The current exemption, which is set to expire on July 6, 2025, has been in place to facilitate certain operations within the shipping industry. MyCC emphasized the importance of public participation in the assessment process, urging relevant parties to submit written feedback on the matter.

The commission has initiated a 30-day online public consultation, commencing today and concluding on June 27, 2025. This process aligns with the provisions of Competition Law, following the preliminary assessment of the block exemption application. The preliminary report, released today, was conducted under the Competition Act 2010 (Act 712).

MyCC clarified that the VSA block exemption is specific to shipping services offered by vessel operators in ocean transport, excluding any inland transportation of goods. This distinction means services provided by entities such as logistics providers, freight forwarders, depot operators, truckers, rail operators, off-dock facility providers, and warehousing service providers are not covered, irrespective of their affiliation with the vessel operators.