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OCTOBER 2020 ACTIVITY REPORT
STATEMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commission Votes to Initiate Service Contract Filing Regulatory Reform
The FMC voted to initiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will, if ultimately approved, make permanent the current temporary exemption that allows initial service contracts to be filed at the agency up to 30 days after the agreement’s effective date.
FMC Seeks Information from Public as Part of Examination of Carrier Billing Practices
The FMC issued a Notice of Inquiry that examines allegations that Vessel Operating Common Carriers may be attempting to hold companies financially responsible for transportation services that they did not contract for and may not legally be required to pay.
Commission Extends Temporary Exemption of Certain Service Contract Filing Requirements
In order to provide continued stability and certainty to ocean carriers and shippers impacted by COVID-19, the Commission extended regulatory relief for service contract filing requirements until June 2021.
Commission Grants Temporary Relief Requested by CMA CGM
The FMC voted to grant the temporary sought by CMA CGM from certain filing requirements while the ocean carrier responded to a malicious cyberattack it experienced.
FMC Considering CMA CGM Petition
The Federal Maritime Commission is considering a Petition filed by CMA CGM, and affiliated companies, requesting temporary exemption from certain filing requirements.
ANPRM Addressing Cruise Line Performance & Refunds Available
The Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) addresses possible changes to regulations governing the definition of “non-performance” by a cruise line and the process for obtaining a refund when a vessel does not sail is now available for review.
An Interim Report issued by Commissioner Louis Sola examines the economic impact of COVID-19 on the cruise industry in Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. It is the second report in what will be a series examining economic impacts to specific geographic regions.
Commissioner Sola Visits Alaska as Part of Fact Finding 30
Commissioner Louis E. Sola completed a multi-day regional assessment in Alaska conducting the review as part of the continuing Fact Finding 30 investigation into the effect of the cessation of cruise vessel traffic on America’s ports.
Commissioner Sola Reviews PortMiami Cruise Related Infrastructure Improvement Projects
Commissioner Louis Sola conducted a site visit of PortMiami to examine how ongoing capital improvement projects that support the cruise industry are being affected by the COVID-19 linked interruption to vessel operations.
Chairman Michael A. Khouri’s Remarks for the 2020 NITL Webinar Series
Remarks of Chairman Khouri to members of the National Industrial Transportation League on a number of topics related to the work of the FMC.
Commissioner Bentzel briefed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness on the viability of building a robust inland waterway network based on the European inland waterway model.
Commissioner Bentzel, and his Counsel John Young, visited four ports in five days over the period of September 21-25th, completing a South Atlantic port tour that also included meetings with various maritime and shipping companies in Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, and Jacksonville (JAXPORT).
September 2020 Activity Report
DECISIONS, ORDERS, & ENFORCEMENT
Order—Extension of Temporary Exemption from Certain Service Contract Requirements (Docket No. 20-06)
Order Granting in Part and Denying in Part—Petition of CMA CGM S.A., American President Lines, LLC, APL Co. PTE. LTD. And ANL Singapore PTE LTD for a Temporary Exemption from Standard Tariff & Service Contract Filing Requirements (Petition No. 2-20)
Memorandum Opinion and Order—MAVL Capital Inc., IAM AL Group Inc., and Maxim Ostrovskiy v. Marine Transport Logistics, Inc. and Dmitry Alper (Docket No. 16-16)
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking—Passenger Vessel Financial Responsibility (Docket No. 20-15)
Notice of Inquiry—Vessel-Operating Common Carrier Definition and Application of the Term “Merchant” in Bills of Lading (Docket No. 20-16)
COMPETITION & AGREEMENTS
Agreements Filed
King Ocean/Seaboard St. Maarten Space Charter Agreement (Agreement No. 201350)
Foundation Carrier Agreement (Agreement No. 201351)
OTI LICENSING
OTI Licensing Activity
Applications 52
Revocations & Surrenders 13
Please see the OTI License Status Changes webpage for additional information.