FR 2021-02756

The document titled "Notice of Agreements Filed" is published in the Federal Register by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). It announces the filing of several agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984, a key legislation governing maritime commerce in the United States. The document provides detailed information about new or revised agreements among major shipping companies. These agreements often involve arrangements for sharing vessel space and updating terms such as the name of a participating party.

Summary

The document informs the public about three specific agreements that have been filed:

1. THE Alliance/Evergreen Vessel Sharing Agreement: This agreement allows several major shipping companies, including Hapag Lloyd, Ocean Network Express, and Evergreen Marine Corporation, to jointly operate a service between Asia, Panama, and the U.S. Gulf Coast.

2. Hapag-Lloyd/Maersk Slot Exchange Agreement: This is an amendment to an existing agreement between Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk and involves updating the amount of vessel space exchanged.

3. Maersk/Zim Gulf-ECSA Space Charter Agreement: Similar to the Hapag-Lloyd/Maersk agreement, this includes Maersk and Zim Integrated Shipping Services and updates the space chartered between the parties.

The Commission invites the public to submit comments or relevant information concerning these agreements. Comments are considered most useful if received within 12 days of the notice's publication in the Federal Register. The agreements themselves can be accessed online or by contacting the FMC.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One of the primary concerns with this document is that it assumes readers have prior knowledge of the context and details of maritime shipping agreements. This assumption may make it difficult for those unfamiliar with such agreements to fully understand the implications of the filings. Additionally, while the document solicits public comments, it provides little guidance on what type of feedback is expected, which could result in comments that are broad or irrelevant.

Another issue is the lack of monetary specifics, which makes it challenging to analyze potential financial impacts, concerns over fairness, or efficiency within these agreements.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, the document serves mostly as an informational notice, ensuring transparency in the operations and collaborations of major international shipping companies. The public is made aware of changes in maritime operations that can influence shipping routes, which may subsequently impact goods transportation. This could potentially affect consumer prices or availability of goods in affected regions, although such consequences are often indirect and not immediately apparent in the document.

Impact on Stakeholders

Specific stakeholders, notably the involved shipping companies, are directly impacted by these agreements. By coordinating operations and sharing resources, these companies may achieve greater efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance services. Other stakeholders include businesses reliant on shipping for importing or exporting goods. Changes in vessel sharing and space charter arrangements might affect shipping schedules, capacity, and logistics operations.

Regulatory bodies and competitive shipping companies are also stakeholders. The former need to ensure these agreements comply with fair trade practices, while the latter may need to adjust strategies in response to shifts in competitive dynamics.

In conclusion, while the document fulfills its role in notifying stakeholders of key developments under the Shipping Act of 1984, it leaves room for improvement in communicating the broader implications and soliciting focused public input.