班輪公會運輸的缺點(三點)：

　1. Rates are usually high. 費率一般很高

　　2. Rates do not fluctuate according to supply and demand as in a tramp service.費率不會像不定期船那樣隨供求關系的變化而變動。(fluctuate:變化，變動;supply and demand:供求)

　　3. Rules and procedures are inflexible.規則和程序不靈活(rules:規則;procedure:程序，手續;inflexible:不靈活的)

　　2-3 Non-conference lines 非班輪公會運輸

　　2-3.1 課文：In recent years, along most international routes, non-conference lines have posed a challenge to conference system.

　　注釋：in recent years: 近幾年　along: 沿著　pose a challenge to: 對...提出挑戰

　　課文意思：近幾年，出現在大多數國際航線上的非班輪公會運輸，對班輪公會提出了挑戰。

　　2-3.2 課文：This is attributable to the development of containerization and emergence of many independent carriers.

　　注釋：attributable: 可歸于...的(be attributable to: 可歸因于) containerization: 集裝箱運輸，貨柜運輸　emergence:　出現，發生　independent carriers: 獨立承運人

　　課文意思：這是由于集裝箱運輸和許多獨立承運人的出現。

　　2-3.3 課文：As a result, along some routes, the conference lines have been forced to come to terms with the non-conference lines in regard to rates, and terms and condition of service.

　　注釋：as a result:　結果　be forced to:　被迫去做...　come to terms:　達成協議，妥協，讓步　in regard to: 關于(=regarding, with regard to) 　terms: 價錢，費用　condition:　條件。