The Federal Maritime Commission will likely publish next week a notice in the Federal Register seeking comment on an interpretive rule that is meant to help address issues with detention and demurrage charges, an FMC spokesman said. The agency announced on Sept. 6 that the FMC adopted recommendations from Commissioner Rebecca Dye, one of which includes publishing "an interpretive rule that clarifies how the Commission will assess the reasonableness of detention and demurrage practices." Interpretive rules differ from other regulations in that they don't require a notice and comment period, though the FMC has chosen to go through one, and aren't considered to have the force of law.
The Federal Maritime Commission will seek comments on a proposal to "prevent ocean carriers and marine terminals from imposing free-time (detention, demurrage, per diem) charges when the container cannot be picked up from, or returned to, the terminal through no fault of the shipper/trucker," the Agriculture Transportation Coalition said in a Sept. 6 email. The FMC didn't comment. The trade group said carriers have made such penalties "a major cost for importers and exporters and their truckers, often threatening to lock out truckers who don't immediately pay, and making shippers' protest/challenges extremely difficult."
The Federal Maritime Commission would like to update the processes for revoking or denying ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, the agency said in a notice. While the FMC previously updated the processes in 2015, "the revised process, however, has proved to be imprecise in certain respects and has not led to the reduction in time and expense that was anticipated," it said. The agency's proposal would include a new hearing procedure that is "based on the procedure for formal small Shipping Act claims," it said. "The new hearing procedure would be overseen by an administrative law judge and would represent the type of expedient, low-burden process sought in the previous rulemaking while fulfilling the need for more detailed procedural requirements." Comments on the proposal are due Oct. 3.
NVOs Can Cancel Supplemental Bonds for Services in China Under New Registration Process, NCBFAA Says
Non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) performing services in China no longer require a cash deposit at a Chinese bank or a supplemental bond on file with the Federal Maritime Commission to register with Chinese authorities, provided that they are licensed or registered with the FMC, according to an update emailed Aug. 19 by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America. But they don’t have to cancel existing bonds either, the NCBFAA clarified.
Technip FMC (TFMC) and its subsidiary Technip USA, reached a $296 million settlement with the Justice Department after being charged with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, according to a June 25 press release.
The Federal Maritime Commission will discuss licensing and financial responsibility requirements for ocean transportation intermediaries during a May 1 meeting, the FMC said in a notice. Also on the agenda are ocean carrier alliances and two terminal agreements.
The Federal Maritime Commission released a notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreement by email to Secretary@fmc.gov, or by mail to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 12 days of publication in the Federal Register.
The Federal Maritime Commission released a notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreement by email to Secretary@fmc.gov, or by mail to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 12 days of publication in the Federal Register.
The Federal Maritime Commission released a notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreement by email to Secretary@fmc.gov, or by mail to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 12 days of publication in the Federal Register.
The Federal Maritime Commission released a notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreement by email to Secretary@fmc.gov, or by mail to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 12 days of publication in the Federal Register, that is, by April 1.