Ways to enhance competition in the transport market

The Competition Authority
has today issued Opinion No. 1/2023 where it is recommended to proceed
be in measures to reduce barriers to competition in the transport market, create
to maintain discipline and thereby strengthen competition.

With
Recommendations are addressed to the opinion. Minister for Infrastructure, Faxafloa Harbour Authority, The City of Reykjavík
and other municipalities, on measures which are, among other things, intended to
have a positive effect on product prices across a wide range of sectors, for the public and businesses
benefits.

Í
The opinion draws conclusions from the decision of the Competition Authority. No. 33/2023,
Antitrust violation by Samskip. The decision makes
Article concerning serious breaches by Samskip due to collusion with Eimskip and a motion was made
on measures to prevent their recurrence. The sections include, among other things,
the following conduct:

The decision
highlights the importance of the government taking action that is intended to
in favour of strengthening competition in the transport market. This is important, among other things.
due to increases in the price of goods in recent months and the prevailing circumstances in Iceland
economy.

With
In light of the above, the Competition Authority recommends, inter alia, the following:

• That the government and the relevant public authorities ensure
  access for new and smaller competitors in maritime transport to adequate port facilities
  and ship handling in this country.
• For the government to create conditions for increased competition in
  land transport, including in connection with measures provided for in the decision
  No. 33/2023. 
• To consider ways to create increased oversight of
  new or specific charging on transport markets. 

Then
is therefore specifically directed to customers Samskip and Eimskip's
is reasonable, in light of the events referred to in decision no. 33/2023, that they
to call for an explanation in each case of the amount of individual charges collected
are, when entering into agreements. Is such follow-up likely to create
holding the companies to account.

Attached are
Illustrative diagrams clarifying in more detail the breaches referred to in decision no.
33/2023.