Search Results for keywords:"Federal Maritime Commission"

A complaint has been filed with the Federal Maritime Commission by China United Lines, Ltd. against Amazon.com Services LLC, Amazon Logistics Inc., and Beijing Century Joyo Courier Service Co., Ltd. The complaint alleges that these companies violated specific sections of the U.S. Shipping Act by trying to obtain ocean transport services at reduced rates and avoiding paying fines by changing the reason for ending their contract with China United Lines. The respondents must respond to the complaint within 25 days. This case has been assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judges, with an initial decision due by January 2026.

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation. This adjustment is required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. The new penalty amounts are calculated using a formula based on changes in the consumer price index. This rule takes effect on January 15, 2025, and does not require a public comment period due to exemptions from certain rulemaking procedures.

A complaint has been filed with the Federal Maritime Commission by Euromarket Designs, Inc. against several shipping companies, including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd., and others. The complaint alleges violations of U.S. shipping laws related to unfair demurrage and detention charges, as well as the failure of some shipping companies to fulfill service commitments and improper billing practices. The Commission has jurisdiction over these claims according to the Shipping Act of 1984. The initial decision by the administrative judge is expected by January 8, 2026, and the final decision by the Commission by July 22, 2026.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced the filing of several agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. These agreements involve partnerships between shipping companies, such as CMA CGM S.A. and COSCO SHIPPING Lines Co. Ltd., allowing them to share space on each other’s vessels and expand their service routes, including adding new ports to their agreements. Interested parties can submit comments about these agreements to the FMC within a specific timeframe. Copies of the agreements can be accessed through the FMC's website.

The Federal Maritime Commission issued a final rule to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties they assess, following the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. This rule requires agencies to announce these adjustments by January 15 every year and is based on changes in the consumer price index. The adjustment process is not required to follow certain procedural steps like public notice or comment, and the rule will not have significant economic impacts. Additionally, the rule doesn’t involve any new collection of information from the public.

The Federal Maritime Commission is investigating issues with shipping routes at important international maritime chokepoints, such as the English Channel and the Suez Canal. The investigation aims to understand how foreign laws, vessel practices, and other factors create shipping delays and complications. They have invited public comments to gather insights and possible solutions to these shipping constraints by May 13, 2025. The inquiry is looking into the financial, environmental, and geopolitical impacts of these maritime issues.

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a new policy statement allowing private parties to file class action complaints with the Commission. This policy clarifies that such complaints are permitted and may be evaluated using the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure when applicable. The policy aims to provide guidance to shippers and other third parties and can be accessed online.

A complaint has been filed with the Federal Maritime Commission by Nielsen & Bainbridge, LLC against several shipping companies, including Ocean Network Express, Orient Overseas Container Line, and Evergreen Marine. The complaint alleges these companies violated certain U.S. maritime laws by failing to meet service commitments, coercing extra charges, and mishandling fees. The companies identified in the complaint are located in various countries, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. The proceeding is being handled by the Commission's Office of Administrative Law Judges, with an initial decision expected by January 8, 2026.

The Federal Maritime Commission is proposing to amend its regulations to allow original service contracts to be filed up to 30 days after going into effect, aligning them with amendments that have similar filing timelines. This change stems from the Commission’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated the benefits of delayed filing. The proposal also seeks to make technical amendments following the decision to exempt ocean carriers from publishing certain contract terms. The Commission invites public comments on these changes before finalizing the rule.

The Federal Maritime Commission has announced its submission of an ongoing information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. This request concerns the regulation of "controlled carriers," or ocean carriers owned by foreign governments, to ensure they do not set unfair rates or rules. The Commission invites public comments on the necessity and effectiveness of this information collection by April 23, 2025. Responses can be submitted online, and the public’s input will be considered for the Commission's request for approval.