Search Results for keywords:"Federal Maritime Commission"

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has decided to close its investigation into whether Canadian rules on ballast water management systems were harming U.S. shipping operations in the Great Lakes. Initially sparked by fears of unfair conditions for U.S. ships due to new Canadian regulations, the situation improved enough for the FMC to conclude that short-term issues have been resolved. However, a longer-term investigation remains open to address any potential ongoing concerns. The FMC encourages those affected to continue participating in this ongoing investigation to address any lingering disparities.

The Federal Maritime Commission has announced the filing of an agreement between Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. and Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., known as the MSC/Zim Cooperative Working Agreement. This agreement allows the companies to operate a joint fleet of vessels between Asia and the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and to share space on other routes. It will take effect on January 9, 2025, replacing a previous agreement after the end of the Maersk/MSC Vessel Sharing Agreement. Interested parties can submit comments via email or mail within 12 days of this notice's publication in the Federal Register.

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.

The Federal Maritime Commission announced the filing of several agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. These include the THE Alliance/Evergreen Vessel Sharing Agreement, the Hapag-Lloyd/Maersk Slot Exchange Agreement, and the Maersk/Zim Gulf-ECSA Space Charter Agreement. Each agreement involves various shipping companies collaborating to either share vessel space or update terms such as the name of a party or the space exchanged. Interested parties are invited to submit comments within 12 days of the notice's appearance in the Federal Register.

The Federal Maritime Commission has announced the filing of an agreement under the Shipping Act of 1984. This agreement, known as the Maersk/Network Shipping Ltd. Ad Hoc Space Charter Agreement, allows Maersk A/S and Network Shipping, Ltd. to share cargo space between ports in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, and California. The agreement was filed by Wayne Rohde from Cozen O'Connor and is proposed to take effect on February 3, 2025. Anyone interested can review the agreement online and submit comments to the Commission within 12 days, or 7 days for expedited review requests.

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.

The Federal Maritime Commission has announced the filing of an agreement called the CMA CGM/COSCO Jamaica—Puerto Rico Space Charter Agreement. This agreement allows CMA CGM to let COSCO use space on some of CMA CGM's vessels traveling from Jamaica to Puerto Rico. The public can submit comments on this agreement within 12 days of the notice's publication in the Federal Register. More details and a copy of the agreement are available on the Commission's website.

The Federal Maritime Commission has announced the filing of two agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties can comment on these agreements via email or mail within a specified period. The agreements include the USMX-ILA Master Contract Memorandum of Settlement, involving the International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, and an amendment to the HMM/SML Slot Exchange Agreement between HMM Co. Ltd and SM Line Corporation. Details and copies of these agreements are available on the Commission's website.

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.