FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

FMC ANNOUNCES THREE COMPROMISE AGREEMENTS

NR 97-13

Washington, D.C. 20573

CONTACT VERN W. HILL, DIRECTOR,
BUREAU OF ENFORCEMENT AT (202) 523-5783

FOR RELEASE MAY 30, 1997

The Federal Maritime Commission announced today that it entered into three compromise agreements. The compromise agreements are as follows:

International Transportation Network Inc. Compromise was reached in the amount of $5,000 with International Transportation Network, Inc. ("ITN"), a licensed ocean freight forwarder of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The compromise involved alleged violations of section 19(d)(4) of the Shipping Act of 1984 ("1984 Act") relating to the receipt of forwarder compensation on certain shipments by a non-vessel-operating common carrier indirectly related to ITN.

Pacific Shipping Limited. Compromise was reached in the amount of $12,500 with Pacific Shipping Limited of Long Beach, California. Pacific Shipping Limited, doing business as Pacific Express Line, operates refrigerated vessels from the U.S. West Coast to Japan and South America. The Commission alleged that Pacific Shipping Limited violated section 10(b)(1) of the 1984 Act by charging rates other than those published in applicable tariffs on shipments it transported from the U.S. to Japan.

Alliance Shippers Inc. Compromise was reached in the amount of $35,000 with Alliance Shippers Inc., a non-vessel-operating common carrier of West New York, New Jersey. The Commission alleged that Alliance Shippers Inc. violated section 10(b)(1) of the 1984 Act by charging rates other than those published in applicable tariffs on shipments from Australia to the U.S.

None of the parties involved admitted any violations of the Shipping Act of 1984. The compromise agreements resulted from investigations conducted by the Commission's Area Representative in Los Angeles. The Bureau of Enforcement negotiated the settlements.