The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) voted
February 18, 2010 to draft a proposed rule that, if adopted, would offer licensed NVOCCs an exemption from the
requirement to publish and adhere to tariff rates.  The detailed rule making proposal has not yet been released by
the Commission, but key features have been announced.  Instead of publishing tariff rates, licensed NVOCCs would
have the option to utilize “unpublished rate arrangements” provided these are agreed to by shippers in writing
before cargo moves.  These rate arrangements must be retained by the NVOCC for FMC inspection.  The motion to draft the proposed new rule was approved by a 3 to 1 vote, with FMC Chairman
Lidinsky in the majority.  It directs the FMC staff to prepare a notice of proposed rulemaking that would
offer the exemption, while imposing several conditions, including:

1. The exemption would be voluntary; i.e. NVOCCs could choose to continue publishing rates in their tariffs or they
   could use “unpublished rate arrangements” that satisfy FMC requirements;
2. The exemption would only apply to NVOCCs holding the Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) license;
3. The exemption would be limited to tariff rates; NVOCCs would still be required to continue to publish and
   maintain tariff rules that comply with Section
   8 of the Shipping Act;
4. The proposed rule would exempt licensed NVOCCs from the tariff rate publication requirements of Section 8 of the
   Shipping Act and from Section 10(b)(2)’s requirement to adhere to published rates.  The proposed rule making will
   request comments on whether the exemption should also extend to Sections 10(b)4 and 10(b)8 of the Shipping Act
   which prohibit unfair and unjust discriminatory practices.

If adopted, the exemption would require NVOCCs who choose to utilize it to observe the following requirements:

1. Tariff rules must be maintained and note that the NVOCC has chosen to operate under the exemption;
2. Public access to tariff rules must be provided by the NVOCC free of charge to the public;
3. Unpublished rate arrangements must be agreed to and memorialized in writing, including the applicable rate for
   each shipment, by the date cargo is received by the carrier at the origin.  The proposed rule making will request
   comments on additional terms that should be required in the unpublished rate arrangement documentation.
4. Records of unpublished rate arrangements and associated communications must be retained by the NVOCC for five
   years and made available for inspection by the FMC as required by its licensing regulations.

The FMC’s action in this matter was prompted by a Petition filed in July 2008
by the National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association
of America, Inc.  The Petition requested that rate disputes between NVOCCs and their shipper customers be
settled solely under contract law and not the tariff provisions of the Shipping Act of 1984.  Commissioner
Joseph E. Brennan voiced strong opposition to the Petition and the motion approved at the FMC meeting of
February 18.  He released a statement in which he explained he opposes the petition on the basis of both law and policy. 
In Commissioner Brennan’s view, exempting NVOCCs from tariff rate requirements represents a step backward from the
standpoint of consumer protection.  He urged the Commission to hold a public hearing on this matter.

On February 23, 2010 the FMC Secretary issued a news release to remind NVOCCs that these potential new regulations do not yet apply.  At this
time, NVOCCs must continue to comply with the Commission’s current tariff regulations.  Changes to the NVOCC tariff publication requirements will occur
only after the Commission publishes a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, considers public comments on that proposal, and
publishes a Final Rule.

The carrier members of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA), FMC Agreement No. 011223,
serving the East Asia/USA trade lane announced several changes to fuel surcharges effective April 1, 2010. The TSA
Carriers also applauded the decision of Federal Maritime Commission, after a 45-day review, to allow its members to
discuss and coordinate strategies that will reduce air and water pollution, as well as vessel fuel consumption.

Bunker Adjustment Factors (BAF) calculated using TSA’s old monthly formula will decrease effective
April 1, 2010 to US$ 688 per 20ft ctr, US$ 860 per 40ft ctr, US$ 968 per 40ft hi-cube ctr, US$ 1089 per 45ft ctr,
and US$ 19 per WM (LCL).  However, the “New Formula BAF” for the April-June 2010 quarter will
increase slightly to US$ 368 per 40ft ctr to US Pacific Coast Ports and US$ 727 per 40ft ctr to US Atlantic and Gulf
ports, with other container sizes charged accordingly.  Inland Fuel Charges (IFC) will increase
April 1, 2010 to US$ 211 per ctr for shipments to IPI destinations served via West Coast Ports, US$ 106 per ctr for
shipments to RIPI destinations served via East Coast Ports, and US$ 61 per ctr for shipments to Group 4 Points in
California, Oregon and Washington and to East Coast local store door points.

The Emergency Revenue Charge (ERC) of US$ 320 per 20ft ctr; US$ 400 per 40ft ctr, US$ 450 per 40ft
high-cube, and US$ 505 per 45ft ctr that was recently implemented by most of the TSA Carrier members remains in
effect.  The ERC is an interim charge that is distinct from the previously announced 2010 General Rate Increase
(GRI) of US$ 800 per FEU for West Coast port-to-port and local cargo, and US$ 1,000 per FEU for all
other all-water and intermodal shipments.  Several of the TSA Carriers have said the ERC will expire upon execution
of new contracts in 2010.  However, their tariffs do not yet reflect expiration dates for the ERC or new rules for
the 2010 GRIs – these are expected soon.

The amendment to the TSA Carrier agreement that allows the carriers to coordinate their implementation of slow
steaming took effect on February 6, 2010 without opposition from the FMC.  Slow steaming allows vessels to save
fuel, which reduces their emissions and provides substantial cost savings.  TSA’s 15 members are American
President Lines, China Shipping (CSCL), CMA-CGM, COSCO Container Lines, Evergreen Marine, Hanjin Shipping,
Hapag-Lloyd Container Line, Hyundai Merchant Marine, “K” Line, Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping, NYK
Line, OOCL, Yang Ming Marine and Zim Integrated Shipping Services.  Visit www.tsacarriers.org

The Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA), FMC Agreement No. 011325, whose member
lines serve the U.S. export trades from the USA to East Asia, announced another general rate increase (GRI), as well
as increases to Bunker Surcharges, Inland Fuel Charges and Documentation Fees.

The Inland Fuel Charge (IFC) for April-June 2010 will increase to US$ 211 per ctr for rail and
intermodal rail/truck shipments, and US$ 61 per ctr for local/regional truck shipments.  Currency
Adjustment Factors (CAF) for the same period are: Taiwan 5% and Singapore 17%.  The US Origin
Documentation Fee for all cargo will increase to US$ 50 per bill of lading on April 1, 2010.
 Another GRI has been filed by the WTSA Carriers.  Effective April 1, 2010 this GRI will increase
all rates for dry cargo by US$ 240 per 20ft ctr and US$ 300 per 40ft ctr.  Rates for refrigerated cargo will
increase by US$ 300 per 20ft ctr from US Pacific Coast Ports and by US$ 500 per 40ft container from US Atlantic
and Gulf Coast Ports and from all inland locations. The WTSA’s 10 member carriers are American President
Lines, COSCO Container Lines, Evergreen Marine Corp., Hanjin Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd Container Line, Hyundai
Merchant Marine, “K” Line, NYK Line, OOCL and Yang Ming Marine.  For
more info visit www.wtsacarriers.org.