Archive for 2020

Commissioners Bentzel and Maffei Urge MARAD and CDC to Prioritize Maritime Workforce

This week, Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel and Daniel B. Maffei sent a letter to MARAD Administrator Adm. Mark Buzby and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, urging them to prioritize PPE, rapid testing supplies, and vaccines for the maritime workforce. “With recent COVID-19 outbreaks impacting the maritime labor workforce and port… Read More »

Commission Meeting Scheduled for December 9, 2020

SUNSHINE ACT MEETING FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION AGENDA STATUS: This meeting will be closed to the public. DATE AND TIME: December 9, 2020; 10:00 AM PLACE: This meeting will be held by video conference only. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: CLOSED SESSION Briefing by Commissioner Dye on Fact Finding No. 29 Staff Update on General Prohibitions in… Read More »

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… Read More »

Federal Maritime Commission Increases Global Alliances’ Information Monitoring Report Requirements

Pursuant to direction from FMC Chairman Michael Khouri, the Commission has issued letters to the three global carrier alliances (2M, THE, and OCEAN) requiring that certain carrier-specific trade data currently filed with the Commission quarterly, must now be submitted on a monthly basis. The Commission’s Bureau of Trade Analysis (BTA)… Read More »

Commissioner Sola Visits Houston for Panel Discussion and Meetings with Local Maritime Leaders

Commissioner Louis Sola recently visited Houston, participating in events and meetings with local maritime and trade executives where the current state of the industry, infrastructure required to support shipping, and the gateway’s future were among the topics of discussion. The visit centered on Commissioner Sola’s participation on the “State of… Read More »

Commissioner Louis E. Sola Statement on Expanded Supply Chain Investigation

Earlier this year, the FMC voted unanimously to finalize the interpretive rule addressing detention and demurrage charges in the hopes of improving the situation on the ground and improving the supply chain. Unfortunately, months later, we find ourselves facing significant congestion at our Nation’s largest seaports and allegations that parties… Read More »

Statement by Commissioner Bentzel on the Supplemental Order to Fact Finding 29 (International Ocean Transportation Supply Chain Engagement)

I strongly support the issuance of the supplemental order to Fact Finding Investigation 29 (FF29) that builds on the important work my colleague Commissioner Rebecca Dye started over a year ago. Separately, I have been reviewing issues related to the on-going congestion at the ports of Los Angeles and Long… Read More »

Commissioner Daniel B. Maffei Statement on Expanded Supply Chain Investigation

In the spring, when the FMC unanimously voted to finalize the interpretive rule concerning detention and demurrage charges, I stated in the record that we had made a first step but should consider further action if that interpretive rule was not sufficient. Yesterday, the Commission voted unanimously to initiate an… Read More »

Chairman Michael A. Khouri Statement RE: Fact Finding 29 Supplemental Order

FMC Chairman Michael A. Khouri made the following comments concerning the expanded investigation scope and authority of Fact Finding 29 initiated in March 2020: As referenced in this Supplemental Order, the primary purpose of the initial Fact Finding 29 was to identify commercial and operational solutions to cargo delivery system… Read More »

Commission Approves Supplemental Order Expanding Fact Finding 29 Authority

The Federal Maritime Commission yesterday approved a Supplemental Order that expands the authority of Fact Finding 29, “International Ocean Transportation Supply Chain Engagement”. The Supplemental Order authorizes Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye, as the designated Fact Finding Officer, to investigate ocean carriers operating in alliances and calling the Port of Long… Read More »