This new book contains the text of and notes to the Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) Act 1982. This Act gives effect to the obligations of the United Kingdom as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on a Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences signed at Geneva on 6 April 1974, which came into force on 14 March 1985.

A “conference” or “liner conference” is the name by which shipping companies or “lines” describe themselves when they combine together to operate a regular cargo service over a specified range of ports. The system was originated by shipowners in the late 19th century in order to safeguard their share in the U.S. and colonial trades in the face of competition from new shipowners. By combining in these associations the lines were able to fend off competition by offering preferential freight discounts and rebates to shippers willing to use them exclusively. The conferences controlled membership by demanding stringent performance conditions which only the larger, wealthier and more efficient lines could meet and so gain entry to the conference. In short, these liner conferences were cartels or quasi-monopolies