China's competition regulation in the maritime industry: Regulatory concerns, problems and potential implications

The world's maritime market and the global supply chain are grappling with the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The surge in shipping costs and the emergence of unreasonable overcharges and price fixing among carriers once became global issues, encompassing pivotal factors that are undermining the stability of the supply chain. In response, countries have initiated a shift toward the use of competition regulatory mechanisms as a means of addressing these pressing issues. Against the backdrop of competition regulation being used as a remedy for disruptions to the maritime supply chain, this research employs a normative legal study approach, coupled with a comprehensive analysis of existing competition enforcement cases to examine China's maritime competition regulation. By dissecting various competition cases, we elucidate the foremost concerns pertaining to China's competition regulation in the maritime domain and critically delve into the shortcomings inherent in the institutional framework and enforcement practices. This research also examines the impact of China's competition regulation on managing sea freight rate, preserving supply chain stability, overseeing port operations, promoting cross-border collaboration, and influencing the corporate behaviors of maritime enterprises in the post-COVID-19 era.