CCM Amendment Clears FMC Review

Contact: Karen V. Gregory, Secretary (202-523-5725)

The Commission took no action to further delay the effectiveness of an amendment to the Consolidated Chassis Management Pool Agreement (CCM) based upon its review of a detailed competitive analysis conducted by the FMC staff. The analysis took into account the Agreement parties’ responses to the Commission’s requests for additional information and comments submitted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), the International Longshoremen’s Association, and a confidential commenter. The Commission will continue to closely monitor the ocean common carrier and marine terminal operator activities under the Agreement pursuant to the Shipping Act.

The amendment authorizes the Agreement to license their chassis pool management software and to provide management services to third party chassis pools. PANYNJ supported the amendment as it would provide the Port with additional options to improve chassis operations and reduce congestion. The amendment will become effective on November 1, 2014.

“I am hopeful that the amendment will lead, in time, to improved chassis availability as a result of greater efficiencies made possible by the software and management model of the CCM. In the meantime, however, the Commission is gathering information and studying the causes of the current congestion at U.S. ports with a view to assisting in the development of solutions to congestion” said Chairman Cordero.

The Federal Maritime Commission is the federal agency responsible for regulating the nation’s international ocean transportation for the benefit of exporters, importers, and the American consumer. The FMC’s mission is to foster a fair, efficient, and reliable international ocean transportation system while protecting the public from unfair and deceptive practices.