46 U.S.C. § 40301 — Application

(a) Ocean Common Carrier Agreements. This part covers agreements between ocean common carriers to: (1) discuss, fix, or control shipping rates, cargo space, or other service terms; (2) share or divide traffic, revenue, earnings, or losses; (3) assign ports or control how many trips run between ports; (4) control how much cargo or how many passengers are carried; (5) set up exclusive, preferred, or joint work arrangements between carriers or with a marine terminal operator; (6) control, limit, or prevent competition in international ocean shipping; or (7) discuss or agree on anything related to a service contract. (b) Marine Terminal Operator Agreements. This part also covers agreements between marine terminal operators, or between terminal operators and ocean common carriers, to (1) discuss, fix, or control rates or service terms, or (2) set up exclusive, preferred, or joint work arrangements — as long as the agreement involves ocean shipping in U.S. foreign trade. (c) Acquisitions. This part does not cover anyone buying, directly or indirectly, voting stock or assets of another company. (d) Maritime Labor Agreements. This part does not cover maritime labor agreements. But this exception does not excuse a carrier from following tariff or service-contract rules just because the rate, charge, rule, or practice comes from a labor agreement. (e) Assessment Agreements. This part — except for sections 40305 and 40307(a) — does not apply to "assessment agreements."