Commissioner William P. Doyle votes to request additional information from P3 parties

Contact: David J. Tubman, Jr., Counsel to Commissioner Doyle

Federal Maritime Commissioner William P. Doyle voted to approve a request for additional information from the filing parties to the P3 Network Vessel Sharing Agreement. Now approved by a vote of the Commission, this request has stopped the 45-day regulatory waiting period. A new 45-day period will begin after the parties have submitted responses to the request.

“In addition to my own questions and considerations posed by my fellow Commissioners, I have taken into account comments submitted to the Commission and drafted further questions addressing those filings by stakeholders, including but not limited to the concerns publicly raised by the National Industrial Transportation League, the International Longshoremen’s Association, and the Global Shipper’s Forum” explained Doyle. “I appreciate the comments submitted to the FMC, including those by consumers, small businesses and ports; it is helpful in meeting our mission as we give due examination to the proposed agreement.” He finished, “I trust that the P3 Parties will thoroughly address all the questions posed from the Commission.” Commissioner Doyle also submitted questions regarding the impacts to the U.S.-flag international fleet.

On October 24, 2013, A.P. Moller Maersk dba Maersk Line, CMA CGM, S.A., and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, S.A., the world’s three largest container carriers, filed the P3 Network Vessel Sharing Agreement. Pursuant to regulatory statute, agreements filed with the Commission become effective after 45 days, but the Commission may request additional information and documents from the filing parties necessary to complete the required statutory review. Upon receipt of complete and adequate responses to the request for additional information, a new 45-day period begins.