Archive for 2023

National Shipper Advisory Committee Holding August 9, 2023 Meeting

The National Shipper Advisory Committee (NSAC) will hold a meeting on August 9, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Central) at the Target Corporation headquarters located at 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403. The meeting will also stream live on fmc.gov. The Committee’s agenda items will include an update from… Read More »

Commissioner Rebecca Dye Proposes Reforms to International Ocean Supply Chain Practices: Empty Container Return, Early Return Date, and Container Pickup (Notice of Container Availability)

Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye is proposing to reform three practices of ocean carriers and marine terminal operators at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the Port of New York and New Jersey that relate to container returns, earliest return date, and container pickup (notice of availability). This… Read More »

FMC JUNE 2023 ACTIVITY REPORT

STATEMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS FMC Issues Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Unreasonable Refusal to Deal The Federal Maritime Commission issued Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing how it would implement the prohibition on common carriers unreasonably refusing available cargo space to shippers. Industry Advisory—Requirement to File Timely and Accurate Service… Read More »

Industry Advisory — Requirements for Doing Business with NVOCCs and OFFs

The Federal Maritime Commission reminds Common Carriers, including Vessel-Operating Common Carriers (VOCCs), they must meet their compliance obligations when doing business with Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) and Ocean Freight Forwarders (OFFs). Common Carriers must verify NVOCCs and OFFs are compliant with all applicable regulatory and statutory requirements related to licensing,… Read More »

Notice to Passengers Regarding Vantage Travel Services, Inc.

The Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) is aware that Vantage Travel Services, Inc. (Vantage) has filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The bankruptcy petition has been assigned Case No. 23-11060 and is  currently pending in the United States  Bankruptcy Court for the District… Read More »

FMC MAY 2023 ACTIVITY REPORT

STATEMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Two Shipping Lines Pay Civil Penalties Totaling $2.65 Million Two ocean common carriers have paid a combined total of $2.65 million in civil penalties to resolve allegations of misconduct brought by the Federal Maritime Commission’s Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance. John G. Crews, II… Read More »

Alex M. Chintella Named Administrative Law Judge

Chairman Daniel B. Maffei announced today the hiring of Alex M. Chintella to serve as an Administrative Law Judge of the Federal Maritime Commission. Judge Chintella joins the Commission from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) where he has served since 2017, as Assistant Chief Counsel, Deputy Assistant Chief Counsel, and… Read More »

FMC Issues Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Unreasonable Refusal to Deal

A Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) issued today by the Federal Maritime Commission proposes how the FMC would implement the prohibition on common carriers unreasonably refusing available cargo space to shippers. The SNPRM that will be published in the Federal Register is a continuation of a rulemaking process mandated… Read More »

Industry Advisory – Requirement to File Timely and Accurate Service Contracts

The Federal Maritime Commission reminds vessel-operating common carriers (VOCCs) they must file all service contracts and amendments to service contracts in the Commission’s SERVCON system no later than thirty (30) days after the effective date. Failure to file service contracts in accordance with 46 CFR Part §530 could result in… Read More »

Statement of Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel on the Extended Weekend Gates at SSA Terminals in Oakland, Seattle, and Tacoma

“I was recently briefed by SSA on an innovative approach that their terminals in Oakland, Seattle, and Tacoma are rolling out next month to track and analyze the potential of providing extended weekend hours for shippers. SSA explained that shippers will have the option to schedule a time during the… Read More »