Archive for the ‘Vekich’ Category

Opening Statement of Commissioner Max Vekich at Informal Hearing of the Federal Maritime Commission Examining Impacts to Shipping Resulting from Current Conditions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Regions

I would like to commend the carriers for prioritizing mariner safety during this most difficult time. We recognize the difficulties – the stress to the individual mariners, vessel owners and to the supply chain created by the current crisis in the Red Sea. Carriers are employing novel solutions to adjust… Read More »

Statement of Commissioner Vekich on Reform of FMC’s Internal Enforcement Procedures

Commissioner Max Vekich today issued the following statement: “On Monday, April 17, 2023, the Federal Maritime Commission issued a direct final rule revising its internal enforcement procedures by delegating authority to the Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations and Compliance (BEIC) to issue Notice(s) of Violations and to compromise civil penalty claims… Read More »

Statement by Commissioners Bentzel and Vekich on Amending Statutes Governing Review of VOCC and MTO Agreements

Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel and Max M. Vekich wrote key Members of Congress to urge changing the law in a way that would allow the Federal Maritime Commission to prohibit filed agreements from automatically going into effect. “Congress provided the Commission with important additional authorities in the Ocean Shipping Reform… Read More »

Statement of Commissioners Max M. Vekich and Carl W. Bentzel regarding the NPRM on the Definition of Unreasonable Refusal to Deal with Respect to Vessel Space Accommodation

This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking provides an important first step in elaborating on how the Federal Maritime Commission will assess what constitutes an unreasonable refusal to deal or negotiate with respect to vessel space accommodation. While the proposed rule establishes parameters for consideration, there may be additional steps that would… Read More »

Statements of  Commissioners Bentzel, Sola, and Vekich regarding Comments Submitted to the Surface Transportation Board on the Proposed Consolidation of the Railroad Systems of Canadian Pacific Railway and the Kansas City Southern Railway

Federal Maritime Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel, Louis E. Sola, and Max M. Vekich, in their capacity as individual Commissioners, submitted comments Wednesday to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) objecting to the proposed consolidation of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Ltd. (CP) and the Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS). The three Commissioners urged… Read More »

Statement of Commissioner Max M. Vekich Regarding USDA Initiative to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports and West Coast Ports

Commissioner Max M. Vekich commends Secretary Tom Vilsack for the recently announced U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative that will assist American-grown agricultural products to reach global markets. Under the program, agricultural exporters will receive $200 per container of farm goods exported out of the ports of Seattle, Tacoma, or Oakland…. Read More »

Statement by Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel and Max Vekich on FMC’s approval of the $2 million Settlement Agreement with Hapag-Lloyd

Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel and Max Vekich commend the Commission’s Bureau of Enforcement for its work in reaching a $2 million settlement agreement with Hapag-Lloyd with regards to unreasonable assessment of detention and demurrage charges. The Commission must continue its work to address unjust and unreasonable practices for the benefit… Read More »

Statement by Commissioner Vekich in Support of Commissioner Bentzel’s Assessment of the People’s Republic of China’s Control of Container and Intermodal Chassis Manufacturing

On March 30, 2022, FMC Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel released his Assessment of the People’s Republic of China’s Control of Container and Intermodal Chassis Manufacturing. The report provides an in-depth analysis of container and chassis manufacturing and identifies areas in which we need to focus to ensure sufficient equipment is… Read More »

Max Vekich Sworn-In as FMC Commissioner

Max Vekich was sworn-in today as a Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2026. First nominated by President Joseph R. Biden on June 24, 2021, and then again on January 4, 2022. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 10, 2022,… Read More »