National Customs Brokers And Forwarders Association Of America News

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice stating that it will meet in open session in its offices on February 10 to consider, among other things, a petition from the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America for exemption from mandatory rate tariff publication. (2/3/10). The meeting will be held Feb. 10, 2010, 10:00 a.m. at 800 North Capitol Street, N.W., First Floor Hearing Room, Washington, D.C. (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has granted extensions of time in which to file comments on pending petitions. The first extension relates to the petition of United Parcel Service

Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Steven R. Blust announced yesterday that the Commission has entered into a settlement agreement with the major ocean carrier agreements and their members who serve the inbound waterborne U.S. trades with Asia, including the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA), and two TSA-related bridging agreements. addresses carrier practices investigated in the Commission's Fact Finding Investigation No. 25 - Practices of Transpacific Stabilization Agreement Members Covering the 2002-2003 Service Contract Season, initiated in response to a joint petition filed by the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) and the International Association of NVOCCs (IANVOCC).

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a number of documents relating to efforts by non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) to enter into confidential service contracts. C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. filed a petition, as did Bax Global Inc. and Ocean World Lines, Inc. Extensions of time were granted with regard to the petitions of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. and United Parcel Service, Inc. Source: HK Law

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a Notice stating that two new items have been added to the agenda for its meeting on January 21. The petition of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers to investigate truck detention practices of the New York Terminal Conference will be considered during the closed session of the meeting. The petition of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America for a rulemaking will be considered in the open session of the meeting, which will start at 2:00 p.m. Source: HK Law

FMC considered the petitions of three Chinese controlled carriers for relief from the 30-day waiting requirement for reduction of tariff rates of the Controlled Carrier Act (Petition Nos. P3-99, P4-03 and P6-03). As part of its deliberations, the Commission considered letters from the U.S. Maritime Administrator and the Under Secretary of State for Business, Economics and Agricultural Affairs that discuss commitments made in the recently-concluded bilateral Maritime Agreement between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China. The Administrator and the Under Secretary urge the Commission to favorably consider the Petitions. The Administrator also indicates that he will encourage U.S. carriers and shippers to support them.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would, if adopted, provide for an optional rider for proof of additional financial responsibility for non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs). This rulemaking was undertaken at the request of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) in order to accommodate a new requirement of the Chinese government that NVOCCs operating in that country maintain financial responsibility in a different manner than currently provided for in the United States. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by February 20, 2004. (Source: HK Law)

On Wednesday, April 6, 2005, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) held the third in a series of briefings from representatives of the shipping industry and maritime community. The briefings are intended to foster a greater awareness and understanding of the current issues and concerns affecting the various interests involved with the United States waterborne foreign commerce. The April 6th briefing was presented by the following representatives from the American Association of Port Authorities (“AAPA”): Gary LaGrange, President, Port of New Orleans and Chairman of the AAPA Board, representing the AAPA Gulf Caucus region; Richard Larrabee…