Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act, generally provides that any person has an enforceable right to obtain access to federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure.
There is a great deal of Commission information available without an official FOIA request. This includes, but is not limited to: agreement filings; commonly used forms; Commission decisions; final and proposed rules; Commission regulations; news releases; and a list of licensed ocean transportation intermediaries. A complete list of available information can be found at 46 CFR Part 503.
Freedom of Information Act Requests must be directed in writing to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, D.C. 20573, and must reasonably describe the record or records sought. The Commission's FOIA Reference Guide also provides information to assist requesters. FOIA requests will be processed by the Secretary, within the timeframes and pursuant to the criteria outlined in 46 CFR Part 503. Appeals of denials by the Secretary may be filed with the Chairman.
If you would like to file a FOIA request electronically, please e-mail secretary@fmc.gov. Please put the words "FOIA Request" in the subject line, and then reasonably describe the record or records sought in the e-mail message. Please include contact information so someone from the Office of the Secretary can respond to your request as soon as possible.
In addition, you may call the FMC FOIA Requester Service Center, at 202-523-5707. An employee trained and knowledgeable in FOIA will answer any questions you have about a FOIA request. In addition, they will assist you in refining your request since more specific questions can often be processed faster and have less chance of photocopying charges to the requester. The FOIA Public Liaison is Karen Gregory. She can be reached at 202-523-5725 if you have any problems with the FOIA Requestor Service Center.
On December 14, 2005, the President issued Executive Order 13,392, "Improving Agency Disclosure of Information." As part of the implementation of this order, the FMC has developed an agency-specific plan for improvement of the administration of the Freedom of Information Act, linked here. An Updated Status Report on the FOIA Improvement Plan can be found here, and the FMC's FOIA Backlog Reduction Goals for Fiscal Years 2008 through 2010 are linked here.
Pursuant to Executive Order 13,392, the Commission's Electronic Reading Room has been reviewed and certified in compliance with the FOIA. This certification can be found here.
Additional FOIA information is available through the links below.
FOIA Annual Reports
FOIA Frequently Asked Questions
FOIA Reference Guide
Frequently Requested FOIA Information