Trade in International Maritime Services : How Much Does Policy Matter?

Fink, Carsten ; Mattoo, Aaditya ; Neagu, Ileana Cristina

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: AIR TRANSPORT;    ANTI-COMPETITIVE PRACTICES;    ANTI-TRUST LAWS;    ANTITRUST LAW;    BENCHMARK;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-2522
RP-ID  :  WPS2522

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Maritime transport costs significantlyimpede international trade. The authors examine why thesecosts are so high in some countries, and, quantify theimportance of two explanations: restrictive trade policies,and private anti-competitive practices. Both matter, theyfind, but private anti-competitive practices have thegreater impact. Trade liberalization, and the breakup ofprivate carrier agreements, would lead to a reduction inaverage liner transport prices of a third, and cost savingsof up to $ 3 billion on goods carried to the United Statesalone. The policy implications are clear: not only shouldgovernment policy be further liberalized, but there shouldbe stronger international disciplines on restrictivebusiness practices. The authors propose developing suchdisciplines in the current round of services negotiations atthe World Trade Organization.