Ocean Transportation System News

Commissioner Daniel B. Maffei has been named Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, as appointed by President Joe Biden on March 29, 2021. Maffei is a sitting member of the FMC and replaces Michael A. Khouri in the role of Chairman.A native of New York, Maffei was a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives for two terms. His previous professional experience includes serving in the Department of Commerce during the Obama Administration, and earlier in his career, working as a Capitol Hill aide and as a broadcast reporter.

Commissioner William P. Doyle Votes to reject joint contracting authority for Ro/Ro foreign carriers to negotiate collectively for U.S.-Flag tug services. Doyle's Statement, shown below, says new rules go beyond the scope of the Shipping Act and shipping practices harmful to U.S. Today, I voted to disapprove the roll-on roll-off (Ro/Ro) WLL/Eukor/ARC/Glovis Cooperative Working Agreement amendment involving Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS (WWL), Eukor Car Carriers Inc. (Eukor), American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier LLC (ARC), and Hyundai Glovis Co. Ltd. (Glovis) (collectively Parties). This amendment filed with the Federal Maritime Commission seeks to broaden the authority of the Parties to jointly solicit bids for contracts covering the provision of tug services…

The status of Hanjin Shipping and the disruptions caused by its bankruptcy to the American shipping community, as well as global supply chains, was examined closely by the Federal Maritime Commission during the closed session of the September 20, 2016 public meeting. Commissioners were briefed by staff from the Office of the General Counsel; the Bureau of Trade Analysis; the Bureau of Enforcement; and the Office of Consumer Affairs & Dispute Resolution Services about a variety of developments related to the insolvency of Hanjin Shipping. Topics addressed included: proceedings in the U.S.

Amazon.com Inc's China arm has registered as an ocean freight forwarder, according to the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, a move that will give it more control over shipping products from Chinese factories to U.S. shoppers. The registration is the latest indication that Amazon plans to expand its logistics reach to cut costs for its retail business and potentially provide third-party logistics services to other industries. Its new status as a freight forwarder, or "non-vessel operating common carrier," gives Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, a foothold in the $350 billion a year ocean freight business. It will not operate ships but subcontract that work.

The Commission voted at its meeting 22nd October to issue a final rule on ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licensing and financial responsibility requirements, and directed staff to prepare an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking concerning service contracts and NVOCC service arrangements. Under the new rules, OTIs will be required to renew licenses every three years through a convenient on-line portal beginning in late 2016, and an expedited hearing process will be provided for license denials, revocations, or suspensions. Revision to the OTI rules was first proposed in May of 2013 in an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, and then in October 2014 a proposed rule was issued by the Commission. The Commission received extensive comment from the industry throughout the process.

Following is the statement of FMC Commissioner William P. We do not take our hands off the wheel just because an agreement is allowed to go into effect without the Commission taking any further action to delay the implementation of the agreement. FMC staff has requested certain information from the parties to the Pacific Ports Operational Improvements Agreement (PPOIA). To date, the response by the PPOIA parties has been incomplete. As a Commissioner I am interested in information including but not limited to service agreements between the vessel operating common carriers and the marine terminal operators, as well as information related to chassis operations.

A draft of the final agreement between the ports of Tacoma and Seattle has been released, heralding a milestone in the formation of a Seaport Alliance that will unify the two ports’ marine cargo terminal investments, operations, planning and marketing. “We intend to make our organizations stronger and more sustainable to better serve our customers, grow our regional economy and address unprecedented competition facing the shipping industry,” said Don Johnson, Port of Tacoma commission president.

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Mario Cordero announced to staff January 13 that his priority for the Commission in 2015 is addressing congestion issues that are plaguing U.S. ports. Starting in September 2014, FMC Commissioners led public forums concerning port congestion and international supply chain efficiency issues. Cordero noted that this focus is in keeping with the Commission’s 2014-2018 Strategic Plan. “Among the Commission’s statutory goals is the assurance of an efficient ocean transportation system,” Cordero said.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) announced that it has completed compromise agreements recovering a total of $350,000 in civil penalties. The agreements were reached with a vessel-operating common carrier and three non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs). The agreed penalties resulted from investigations conducted by the Commission’s Area Representatives in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. headquarters staff. The parties settled and agreed to penalties, but did not admit to violations of the Shipping Act or the Commission’s regulations. OBI Shipping Inc.

President Barack Obama last week announced 11 nominations to key Administration posts. Among them was William P. Doyle, who currently serves as a Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission. William P. Doyle currently serves as a Commissioner on the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Prior to joining the FMC, from 2011 to 2013, Mr. Doyle served as the Chief-of-Staff for the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association from 2011 to 2013. From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Doyle was the Director of Permitting, Scheduling, and Compliance at the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects from 2008 to 2011, and was the Deputy General Counsel and Director of Government and Legislative Affairs for the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association from 2002 to 2008. Mr.

US- China Transportation Forum, Proposed P 3 Alliance, SISI Briefing, U.S.-flag International Fleet. FMC Chairman Mario Cordero and Commissioner William P. Doyle met with Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenechin on October 8, 2013. The officials discussed the recent hearing before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. The hearing titled, Maritime Transportation Regulations: Impacts on Safety, Security, Jobs, and the Environment; Part I, took place on September 10, 2013. They also talked about the upcoming U.S. - China Transportation Forum, the proposed P 3 Alliance, and the U.S.-flag international fleet and synergies in this regard between agencies. The Federal Maritime Commission and the Maritime Administration will participate in the U.S.

On Tuesday, January 1, 2013, the United States Senate confirmed President Obama’s nomination of William P. Doyle, of Pennsylvania, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner. Commissioner Doyle was sworn in on January 10, 2013. Today, a ceremonial swearing-in of Mr. Doyle took place at the Commission. Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Doyle served over 20 years in the maritime and transportation industry holding senior positions in executive leadership and operations. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Weymouth. His executive leadership experience includes serving as the Chief of Staff for the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA), which coupled with his experience as an Officer in the U.S.

In the eyes of some, the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster was the event that would signal the end of nuclear power for electrical power generation and would end any hope of the world utilizing nuclear-powered commercial vessels other than the Russian barge carrier, SEVMORPUT and numerous Russian ice breakers. Contrary to the afore mentioned opinion, I believe that not only are selected-route nuclear powered commercial vessels good for the marine industry but they…

Russian ice breakers. Contrary to the afore mentioned opinion, I believe that not only are selected-route nuclear powered commercial vessels good for the marine industry but they also offer the world the most environmentally friendly and potentially the most economical and efficient way of shipping trans-ocean cargo. Although the Fukushima Daiichi disaster was a disaster of major proportions, we must not forget that it was initiated by a much more deadly and destructive disaster; a tsunami caused by a magnitude 9.0 Richter scale underwater earthquake. The nuclear disaster that occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi complex was not caused by inherent problems with the reactor…

The commander of U.S. Transportation Command honored U.S. merchant mariners, past and present, May 19 during Military Sealift Command's (MSC) annual National Maritime Day memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony at the historic Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. National Maritime Day, officially May 22, was established by Congress in 1933 and is observed each year to honor the contributions and sacrifices of U.S. merchant mariners in defense of the nation. These dedicated men and women are frequently considered the unsung heroes of the nation's defense. MSC is the largest employer of U.S. merchant mariners with more than 7,000 civil service and contract mariners deployed worldwide providing critical support to U.S. and allied warfighters around the world.

Pictured is U.S. Representative Gene Taylor of Mississippi. More than 200 guests attended Military Sealift Command's annual National Maritime Day ceremony at Willard Park on the Anacostia River at the historic Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., to honor some unsung heroes of our nation's defense -- America's merchant mariners. Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, USN, commander, MSC, hosted the ceremony that was attended by former Maryland congresswoman Helen Bentley as well as current and former members of the maritime service and military.

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…