The consortia block exemption Regulation 823/2000 currently allows shipping lines to enter into cooperation for the purpose of providing a joint service (so-called "consortia"). The new draft Regulation proposes to continue to allow for such co-operation within a new legislative and economic environment. Interested parties are invited to make their views known in the public consultation before 21st November 2008. The Commission will then consult Member States in 2009 before adopting the final block exemption Regulation in good time before the current Regulation expires in April 2010. A consortium is a grouping of shipping lines which co-operate to provide joint maritime cargo transport services.