Industry Advisory – Requirement to File Timely and Accurate Service Contracts

The Federal Maritime Commission reminds vessel-operating common carriers (VOCCs) they must file all service contracts and amendments to service contracts in the Commission’s SERVCON  system no later than thirty (30) days after the effective date.

Failure to file service contracts in accordance with 46 CFR Part §530 could result in fines or other penalties.

Filers must ensure that the effective date entered in SERVCON accurately reflects the effective date of the contract.

Amendments to contracts must have prospective effect.

Contracts must not make reference to terms that are not explicitly contained in the service contract, unless those terms are readily available to the parties and the Commission (46 CFR §530.8)

For questions regarding service contracts, see Information on How to File Service Contracts  or contact tradeanalysis@fmc.gov.