Browse Signals™ Monthly Updates below
December 1999
The Federal Maritime Commissioners will soon have a full complement of five commissioners for the first time in many years. On November 10, 1999 the US Senate confirmed the appointments of J…
December 1999
Under the terms of a compromise agreement negotiated by the FMC Bureau of Enforcement and Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. the FMC’s formal investigation into allegations of vi…
December 1999
In this proceeding, the FMC Secretary assisted Global Transporte Oceanico S.A., a Brazilian vessel operator, in filing a formal complaint against Coler Ocean Independent Lines Co., an NVOCC based…
December 1999
The FMC continues to study the proposal for a new definition of Vessel Operating Common Carrier (VOCC). Docket 99-10 was listed as an agenda item for discussion by the FMC Commissioners at t…
November 1999
On November 2, 1999, the FMC Bureau of Enforcement announced nine compromise agreements recovering civil penalties totaling $822,500. In concluding these compromises, these entities did not admit…
November 1999
The Bureau of Enforcement, under the direction of Vern W. Hill, plays a key role in the FMC’s effort to monitor the ocean transportation industry, identify and curb malpractices. Since May 1, 1…
October 1999
In response to FMC allegations of possible violations of the Shipping Act, Maersk Line recently entered into a settlement agreement whereby it agreed to pay FMC $925,000, and the FMC agreed to discont…
October 1999
The US Senate recently approved the FMC Authorization Act, which allows federal funds to be spent to fund the Federal Maritime Commission for fiscal year 2000 and fiscal year 2001. The Senate agreed…
October 1999
Under this recently docketed proceeding the FMC instituted a formal investigation to determine whether Imex Shipping, Inc. violated the Shipping Act. Imex Shipping is a NVOCC based in Newark, NJ. Ba…
October 1999
According to this FMC Docket issued October 5, 1999, the FMC has ordered an investigation and hearing to determine possible violations of the Shipping Act by Stallion Cargo, Inc., a Miami based NVOCC.…
October 1999
Here at Distribution-Publications, Inc. (DPI) we are often asked how to contact the FMC for assistance in resolving a dispute. The Commission’s Office of Informal Inquires Complaints (OIIC), headed…
September 1999
In response to FMC allegations of multiple violations of the Shipping Act, Direct Container Line Inc. (DCL) entered into a settlement agreement whereby DCL paid FMC $800,000, and the FMC discontinued …
September 1999
In this Docket served August 13, 1999 the FMC alleges West Indies Shipping and Trading, Inc., of Miami, FL has operated as an NVOCC without a license, tariff or bond. According to Docket 99-15 West …
September 1999
On July 12, 1999, FMC Administrative Law Judge Fredrick M. Dolan approved a settlement agreement between the Commission’s Bureau of Enforcement and Hsueh L. "Frank" Wu and I Chen "Jenny" Chiang d/b/…
September 1999
New licensing requirements for Ocean Transportation Intermediaries (OTIs) in the USA have created a backlog of applications at the FMC. By mid-August the Commission had received 2,100 applications f…
September 1999
In late July, the FMC issued this docketed proceeding to formally institute an investigation in to possible violations of the Shipping Act of 1984 by Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. Acc…
July 1999
In this recently issued FMC docket Direct Container Line Inc. and its CEO, Owen Glenn, are accused by FMC of Possible Violations of Section 10(a)(1) of the Shipping Act of 1984. A formal investigatio…
July 1999
In this FMC docket, issued June 25, 1999, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) proposes to amend its regulations implementing the Shipping Act of 1984 to clarify the definition of "ocean common carri…
June 1999
During May 1999 the Federal Maritime Commission’s Bureau of Enforcement collected a total of US$ 2,900,000 in civil penalties from ten (10) organizations, including vessel operating common carr…
April 1999
New FMC regulations require every US based Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) to obtain a license to operate as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI). NVOCCs in the USA, including those …
April 1999
OTI-Ocean Freight Forwarders in the USA: USD 50,000 plus USD 10,000 per branch office; OTI-NVOCCs in the USA: USD 75,000 plus USD 10,000 per branch office; NVOCCs outside the USA: USD 150,000 (no bra…
April 1999
In remarks before a meeting of the National Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) at Orlando, Florida on March 11 FMC Chairman Hal Creel said he is anxious for May 1…
April 1999
At a meeting on March 9, 1999, the FMC directed its Bureau of Enforcement to prepare and undertake specific enforcement proceedings and actions to address malpractices reported by Commissioner Delmond…
April 1999
increased funding for FY2000 approvedThe House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure voted to increase the fiscal year 2000 budget for the Federal Maritime Commission. The budget proposal cal…
April 1999
additional info requested The new agreement of ocean carriers operating between the USA and Northern Europe has been required to submit additional information to the FMC before it begins operation. Th…
March 1999
effective May 1, 1999New FMC tariff publication regulations issued in Docket No. 98-29 became final on March 1, 1999. These new regulations implement the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (OSRA), and …
March 1999
filing with FMC is simplified, but still requiredIn response to industry comments, the FMC has made significant changes to Docket Nos. 98-26 and 98-30, which implement service contract requirements au…
March 1999
possible violations of the Shipping ActAfter extensive investigation by the Bureau of Enforcement, the FMC issued Docket 99-01 on January 18 to order a formal investigation and hearing into possible v…
March 1999
effective May 1, 1999New FMC requirements will require every US based Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) to obtain a license to operate as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI). This new…
March 1999
resident in, or incorporated in the USAA simple definition makes a big difference in bonding and licensing requirements under the new regulations of Docket 98-28. Effective May 1, 1999 FMC will requir…
March 1999
New rules issued under FMC Docket No. 98-28 substantially increase financial responsibility (bonding) requirements for Ocean Transportation Intermediaries (OTI), Ocean Freight Forwarders, and Non-Vess…
March 1999
presents budget for FY2000On February 11, 1999 Chairman Hal Creel appeared before the Committee On Transportation And Infrastructure of United States House Of Representatives to present President Clin…
March 1999
On February 10, 1999 President Clinton’s press secretary announced Joseph E. Brennan, former Governor of Maine will be nominated to fill the fifth seat on the Federal Maritime Commission. Brennan wa…
February 1999
At a meeting on February 3rd the Commission approved the publication of the first three final rules implementing the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (OSRA). With the exception of Docket 98-25, these…
February 1999
The more controversial new FMC rules proposed under Docket Nos. 98-28:, 98-29: and 98-30: were not approved at the Commissioner’s meeting on Feb 3. FMC Chairman Hal Creel, and Commissioner’s …
February 1999
Best Lines Ltd. : this Hong Kong based NVOCC was charged with violating the Shipping Act of 1984 by charging, demanding, collecting or receiving less compensation for the transportation of property t…
January 1999
On December 21, 1998 the FMC issued its Docket No. 98-29 " Carrier Automated Tariff Systems" to implement provisions of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (OSRA). These new regulations will be fi…
January 1999
secretary@fmc.gov Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) Licensing: effective May 1, 1999 New FMC licensing requirements will require every US based Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) that…
January 1999
01May1999 FMC Docket No. 98-28 Ocean Freight Forwarders in the USA: $50,000, plus $10,000 per branch office; NVOCCs in the USA: $75,000, plus $10,000 per branch office; USA based firms acting as both …
January 1999
two alternatives under consideration for OTIs Docket No. 98-28 in the USAoutside the USAin the USA Docket 98-28 offers for consideration and comment two alternatives for this definition, viz: "...a pe…
January 1999
vessels must call US PortsIn addition to implementing Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (ORSA), the new FMC rules are also aimed at closing loopholes in FMC regulations. A new definition of vessel ope…
January 1999
ATFI based electronic filing systemThe Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (OSRA) makes important information about service contracts confidential, but it did not eliminate the FMC filing requirement. …
January 1999
effective 01Jan1999Chairman Harold J. Creel, Jr., recently announced several executive reassignments and retirements at the Federal Maritime Commission. Commission Secretary Joseph C. Polking has reti…
