News Releases, Speeches, Alerts | The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

Statement of Commissioner Rebecca Dye Ocean Transportation Intermediary Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

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May 10, 2013
TSA Expansion Update, Statement of Commissioner William P. Doyle: Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) Suspended
Commissioner William Doyle provided a statement on the WTSA’s suspension following the TSA’s expansion to include the westbound trade.
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May 08, 2013
Commission Meeting Schedule for May 15, 2013
The meeting will be held in open session.
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May 07, 2013
Chairman Cordero Addresses Industry Members at The International Association of Ports and Harbors’ (IAPH) 28th World Ports Conference

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Announcing the Second Annual Port Environmental Initiatives Forum
On May 21, 2013 FMC will host a forum to focus on water quality issues.
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Apr 23, 2013
Commissioner William Doyle’s Statement on U.S. Exports in 2012
Exports in 2012 Continue to Increase post-2008 Recession
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Apr 18, 2013
FMC Announces 2013 Chairman’s Earth Day Awards
Commissioner Richard A. Lidinsky Jr., has announced the 2013 Federal Maritime Commission’s Chairman’s Earth Day Awards recipients. This award was instituted by then-Chairman Lidinsky in 2010 to recognize outstanding environmental contributions of parties in the international waterborne commerce of the United States, which the FMC regulates.
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Apr 17, 2013
Chairman Mario Cordero Discusses Sustainable Port Operations at The Association of Pacific Ports’ Conference

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Chairman Cordero Testifies to Congress Regarding FY 2014 FMC Budget
On Tuesday, April 16, 2013, Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Mario Cordero presented the President's FY 2014 budget proposal for the Commission before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Chairman Cordero's full testimony can be viewed at the above link.
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Apr 11, 2013
William P. Doyle’s Statement on the Commission’s Vote to Approve TSA’s Expansion

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Apr 11, 2013
Consumer Alert - Warning to Yacht Purchasers
The Office of Consumer Affairs & Dispute Resolution Services is providing this alert for Yacht Purchasers due to an increased number of complaints.
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Apr 11, 2013
Announcing the April 25th Presentation on Emerging Environmental Transportation Technologies
FMC will host a presentation on Emerging Environmental Transportation Technologies, April 25, 2013. This presentation will discuss present and future environmental programs and technologies in the industry.
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Apr 02, 2013
Mario Cordero to Serve as Chairman
President Barack Obama has designated Mario Cordero as the Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission.
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Mar 30, 2013
Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. Resigns
President Obama will name Mario Cordero to be the next Federal Maritime Commission Chairman.
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Mar 15, 2013
Additional Information Requested from Consolidated Chassis Management Pool Agreement
FMC has requested that the parties to the Consolidated Chassis Management Pool Agreement (CCM), FMC Agreement No. 011962, provide additional information regarding the filing of Amendment No. 009 to the Agreement.
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Mar 15, 2013
Carnival DREAM Cancellations and Compensation
Carnival Cruise Lines has outlined the following passenger compensation for the March 13th & 16th cancellations of Carnival DREAM cruises.
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Mar 12, 2013
Statement of Commissioner Doyle Concerning The G6 Alliance Agreement
On February 1, 2013, the G6 Alliance filed with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) an agreement setting forth two principal agreement goals. First, the G6 Alliance authorizes the parties to charter and exchange space on the parties’ vessels. Second, the G6 Alliance seeks to coordinate and cooperate with respect to the parties’ transportation services and operations in specific trade lanes. This week, the FMC Commissioners voted to allow the new Agreement to go into effect. Notably, this agree
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Feb 22, 2013
Update - CARNIVAL TRIUMPH Passenger Compensation Program
Carnival Cruise Lines has provided the Commission with an update regarding its Company Sponsored Passenger Compensation Program.
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Feb 22, 2013
Commission Strengthens Cruise Line Passenger Protections and Proposes to Extend Tariff Rate Publication Exemption to Foreign Registered NVOCCs
During its meeting on February 13, 2013, the Federal Maritime Commission approved measures that would strengthen protections for cruise line customer deposits and prepayments, while reducing financial responsibility requirements imposed on smaller cruise lines.
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Feb 20, 2013
Carnival Cruise Line Alert – Passenger Vessel CARNIVAL TRIUMPH Company Sponsored Passenger Compensation Program
Carnival Cruise Lines recently notified the Commission that it intends to compensate passengers who were onboard the CARNIVAL TRIUMPH when a fire occurred in the vessel’s engine room earlier this month.
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Feb 20, 2013
Carnival Cruise Line Alert - Carnival Triumph Cancellations
The Federal Maritime Commission has been in regular contact with Carnival Cruise Lines (Carnival) over the past several days. Carnival has notified the Commission that it will cancel several cruises in light of an engine room fire that occurred aboard the passenger vessel CARNIVAL TRIUMPH earlier this month.
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Feb 13, 2013
Statement of Commissioner William P. Doyle Concerning PVO Financial Responsibility Requirements
Passenger Vessel Operator Financial Responsibility Requirements for Nonperformance of Transportation and Technical Revision to Passenger Vessel Operator Regulations
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Feb 13, 2013
Statement of Commissioner Rebecca Dye Passenger Vessel Financial Responsibility Requirements
I believe that Government agencies should not increase the private sector’s regulatory compliance costs unless absolutely necessary.
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Feb 13, 2013
Statement of Commissioner Rebecca Dye Revised Timetable for Retrospective Review of Existing Rules to Include Service Contract Rules
I appreciate my fellow Commissioners agreeing to require consideration of our Service Contract filing rules in 2013
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Feb 07, 2013
Commission Meeting Schedule for February 13, 2013
Update: The meeting agenda (originally published February 7, 2013) is revised to remove Item 4.
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Jan 30, 2013
Commissioner William P. Doyle Joins the Commission
On Tuesday, January 1, 2013, the United States Senate confirmed President Obama’s nomination of William P. Doyle, of Pennsylvania, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner. Commissioner Doyle was sworn in on January 10, 2013.
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Jan 30, 2013
FMC to Host Presentation on MARAD’s Alternative Fuel Sources and Environmental Projects, February 7, 2013
Maritime Environmental Committee to Host Brown Bag Lunch Speaker on Alternative Fuel Sources and Environmental Projects Undertaken by U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration
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Jan 15, 2013
Commissioner Mario Cordero's Remarks at the Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting
Commissioner Mario Cordero's Remarks at Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting. Freight Day, Part 2: Policy Environment for Freight Freight Policy and the Competitiveness of the Nation's Ports. Washington, DC – January 15, 2013
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Jan 07, 2013
Consumer Alert- False Information Provided By Unlicensed Companies
FMC recently received reports of unlicensed international moving companies misrepresenting their Commission license status on websites and advertisements. In several instances, unlicensed companies have posted the Commission’s seal on their websites or have listed the organization number of a licensed company with a similar name to the unlicensed company to lure unsuspecting consumers.
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Statement of Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. on the Passing of Senator Daniel K. Inouye

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Dec 19, 2012
Statement of Commissioner Rebecca Dye Ocean Transportation Intermediary Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
I supported the Commission’s Plan for the Retrospective Review of Existing Rules, including the matter before us today, because it was undertaken under the high standards of Executive Order 13563.
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Dec 05, 2012
Commission Meeting Schedule for December 12, 2012
The meeting will be held in Open Session.
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Nov 14, 2012
Compromise Agreements Recover $383,000 in Penalties
The Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. announced that the Federal Maritime Commission has completed compromise agreements recovering a total of $383,000 in civil penalties for alleged violations of the Shipping Act of 1984. The agreements were reached with six non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) located in the U.S. and abroad.
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Nov 13, 2012
Commissioner Mario Cordero Discusses Sustainable Port Management at the Organization of American States
On November 13, 2012, Federal Maritime Commissioner Mario Cordero participated in a panel discussion at the Organization of American States, on the topic of sustainable port management and environmental protection.
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Nov 09, 2012
FMC New Orleans Office to Host Presentation on FMC Dispute Resolution Services and Update on Commission Initiatives, November 16, 2012
The Federal Maritime Commission’s New Orleans Office will host a presentation on dispute resolution services offered by the Commission and provide an update on Commission initiatives on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
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Oct 09, 2012
Final Rule Amends Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure
Effective November 12, 2012 the Commission amends Subpart E - Proceedings; Pleadings; Motions; Replies and Subpart L - Disclosures and Discovery of its Rules of Practice and Procedure.
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Oct 09, 2012
Commissioner Mario Cordero - Remarks at FIATA World Congress Los Angeles, CA – October 9, 2012
Thank you for your kind introduction. It is an honor to be here speaking to such a broad international organization as FIATA. As the only FMC Commissioner currently from the West Coast, it is a special pleasure to travel back to the great State of California and address the 2012 FIATA World Congress. Before I begin, please note that my comments here today are my own personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Maritime Commission.
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Oct 02, 2012
Cancellation of October 11, 2012 Commission Meeting
The Federal Maritime Commission's meeting scheduled for October 11, 2012, has been canceled.
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Sep 27, 2012
Historical Commission Decisions Issued Between 1919 and 1987 Now Available
28 volumes of historical FMC decisions, from 1919 to 1987, are now available in the Electronic Reading room.
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Sep 24, 2012
Commission Meeting Scheduled for October 11, 2012
The meeting will be held at 2:00 PM.
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Sep 18, 2012
Possible Port Congestion Surcharges Industry Advisory
The Federal Maritime Commission has received numerous informal inquiries in relation to certain congestion surcharges that recently have been announced in tariff rules required to be published under the Shipping Act of 1984, as revised by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (1998) and the Commission’s regulations at 46 CFR Part 520. This Opinion is being issued in order to respond to those inquiries.
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Sep 11, 2012
Commission Meeting Schedule for September 12, 2012
The September 12, 2012 meeting agenda is revised. The meeting will be held at 2:00 PM. A part of the meeting will be in Open Session and the remainder of the meeting will be in Closed Session.
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Aug 10, 2012
Remarks of Commissioner Mario Cordero at Sala de las Americas, August 1, 2012
Thank you for your kind introduction. It is an honor to be here in Bogota addressing Sala Logistica De Las Americas. I have a great interest in international trade and the relationship between the United States and Latin America. I have been asked by the conference organizers to address the subject matter and role of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Please note my comments today are my personal comments and do not necessarily reflect the views of the FMC.
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Aug 10, 2012
Remarks of Commissioner Mario Cordero at Sala de las Americas, August 1, 2012 (En Espanol)
Muchas gracias por su amable presentación, Es un honor para mí estar aquí en Bogotá dirigiéndome a ustedes en Sala Logística De Las Américas. Tengo un gran interés en el comercio internacional y la relación entre Estados Unidos y Latinoamérica. Los organizadores de esta conferencia me han solicitado que trate el tema y el rol de la Comisión Marítima Federal (FMC). Les agradezco que tengan en cuenta que mis comentarios de hoy son personales y no necesariamente reflejan los puntos de vista de FMC
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Jul 27, 2012
Remarks of FMC Commissioner Khouri on FMC Study of U.S. Inland Containerized Cargo Moving Through Canadian and Mexican Seaports
The FMC received letters from members of the U.S Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in August and September, 2011. The letters asked, “…that the Federal Maritime Commission undertake an analysis of the impact the federal Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) may be having on the diversion of U.S.-bound cargo from U.S. ports to those in Canada or Mexico.” and analysis of “…other U.S. government policies” that may affect cargo diversion.
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Jul 27, 2012
Statement of FMC Commissioner Dye on Study of U.S. Inland Containerized Cargo Moving Through Canadian and Mexican Seaports
In August and September, 2011, the Commission received a request from Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, seven Members of the House of representatives from the Washington State delegation and one Member from California to analyze the impact and the extent to which the Harbor Maintenance Tax and other factors impact container cargo diversion from U.S. west coast ports to west coast Canadian and Mexican ports, as well as legislative and regulatory recommendations to address this concern.
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Jul 27, 2012
Study of U.S. Inland Containerized Cargo Moving Through Canadian and Mexican Seaports Released
The FMC today released a Study of U.S. Inland Containerized Cargo Moving Through Canadian and Mexican Seaports. The Study was prompted by requests from Members of Congress to study the impacts and the extent to which the U.S. Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT), other U.S. policies and other factors may incentivize U.S.-bound container cargo to shift from U.S. seaports to those located in Canada and Mexico.
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Jul 17, 2012
Chairman Lidinsky Applauds New USDA Container Availability Report and Urges Full Shipper Participation
The first United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report (OSCAR) was released last week. The report provides shippers, particularly those in the agriculture sector, with the participating carriers’ estimates of equipment availability for the current week, and projected weekly container availability for the subsequent two weeks.
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Jul 02, 2012
Docket No. 12-07: NOI Comment Period Extended to August 8, 2012
The Commission published its Notice of Inquiry in Docket No. 12-07 in the Federal Register on May 24, 2012 (77 FR 31013-31015), and requested comments be submitted by July 9, 2012. The Commission has determined to extend the comment period to August 8, 2012.
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Jun 28, 2012
Cancellation of July 18, 2012 Commission Meeting

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Jun 22, 2012
Remarks of FMC Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. at the 25th Annual AgTC Meeting, June 21, 2012
Thank you for inviting me to this important event, the 25th Annual Meeting of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition. I am pleased to be here this evening to share my views on the President’s Export Initiative, and to thank you for the key role you play every day in helping to feed the world.
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Jun 19, 2012
Ipanema Moving Consumer Alert
The Commission has received a growing number of complaints regarding Ipanema Moving, an unlicensed company purportedly shipping household goods to Brazil.
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Jun 19, 2012
Unity Van Lines, Inc. Consumer Alert
The Commission has received a growing number of complaints regarding Unity Van Lines, Inc., FMC license number 021706, registered to operate in Carlstadt, NJ.
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Jun 19, 2012
Echo Trans World, Inc. Consumer Alert
The Commission has received a growing number of complaints regarding Echo Trans World, Inc., FMC license number 019522, registered to operate in New York, NY.
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Jun 07, 2012
Comments of FMC Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye at the Canadian American Business Council, The Dragon in the Room: China’s Impact on Canada/U.S. Issues
Thank you for inviting me to participate in your panel on Ports and Global Supply Chains. My remarks reflect my own individual views and are not offered as the official position of the Federal Maritime Commission.
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Jun 07, 2012
Brazil Shipments Consumer Alert
The Commission’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services (CADRS) has recently received an increased number of inquiries and consumer complaints involving unlicensed ocean transportation intermediaries hired to ship household goods and personal effects to Brazil. Such complaints include, but are not limited to: failure to deliver goods after payment is made by the consumer
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Jun 07, 2012
Direct Final Rule Request for Comments: Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers Negotiated Rate Arrangements; Tariff Filing Exemption
In this direct final rule, the Federal Maritime Commission is revising the regulations which govern negotiated rate arrangements. The rule eliminates some recordkeeping requirements to make them less burdensome. This rule is effective September 10, 2012 without further action, unless significant adverse comment is received by August 10, 2012.
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May 31, 2012
Notice of Inquiry: Solicitation of Views on Requests to Develop and Release Container Freight Rate Indices for U.S. Agricultural Exports Based on a Sampling of Service Contracts Filed with the FMC
The Federal Maritime Commission is issuing this Notice of Inquiry to solicit public comment on informal requests the Commission has received from some large U.S. exporters and intermediaries to develop and release container freight indices for U.S. agricultural exports.
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