Jan 30, 2013
Commissioner William P. Doyle Joins the Commission
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.
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Nov 14, 2012
Compromise Agreements Recover $383,000 in Penalties
The Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. announced that the Federal Maritime Commission has completed compromise agreements recovering a total of $383,000 in civil penalties for alleged violations of the Shipping Act of 1984. The agreements were reached with six non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) located in the U.S. and abroad.
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Jul 27, 2012
Study of U.S. Inland Containerized Cargo Moving Through Canadian and Mexican Seaports Released
The FMC today released a Study of U.S. Inland Containerized Cargo Moving Through Canadian and Mexican Seaports. The Study was prompted by requests from Members of Congress to study the impacts and the extent to which the U.S. Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT), other U.S. policies and other factors may incentivize U.S.-bound container cargo to shift from U.S. seaports to those located in Canada and Mexico.​
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Jul 17, 2012
Chairman Lidinsky Applauds New USDA Container Availability Report and Urges Full Shipper Participation
The first United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report (OSCAR) was released last week. The report provides shippers, particularly those in the agriculture sector, with the participating carriers’ estimates of equipment availability for the current week, and projected weekly container availability for the subsequent two weeks.
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May 02, 2012
Nike Receives FMC Chairman’s Earth Day Award
Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. today announced that Nike, Inc. has received the Chairman’s Earth Day Award for outstanding shipper leadership and innovation in sustainable ocean transport practices. This is the third annual award given by the FMC Chairman for the ocean shipping industry’s top leaders on environmental issues.
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Apr 04, 2012
Redesigned FMC Website Launched
On Tuesday, April 2, the Commission launched a redesigned website, www.fmc.gov. The redesign followed a process of gathering valuable input from representatives of the shipping industry, intermediaries, the public, and the media, in an effort to improve the quality, clarity, and accessibility of information that the Commission provides to the shipping public. The process also included input from each of the Commission’s offices and bureaus. In addition to a new overall graphical layout and look, the new site incorporates recommendations for a more user-friendly structure and improved navigation pathways.
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Mar 15, 2012
FMCSA and FMC Work Together to Protect Consumers Moving Household Goods
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) have agreed to cooperate in providing enhanced protection and assistance for consumers who move their household goods. The agreement leverages the efforts of FMCSA, which regulates interstate household goods moves, and the FMC, which regulates overseas household goods moves by water.
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Mar 05, 2012
Final Rule for Freight Index-Based Service Contracts Released
The Federal Maritime Commission issued a final rule for freight index-based service contracts to provide flexibility and certainty to ocean carriers and their customers. The new rule makes clear that service contracts can reference freight indices or other outside terms, so long as they are readily available to the contracting parties and the Commission.
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Feb 27, 2012
Proposed Update of Commission Pleading, Motion, and Discovery Rules Approved
A proposed rule to update the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure for pleadings, motions, and discovery in agency adjudications has been approved for publication and comment. The proposed changes are intended to add clarity, reduce burdens on parties, and incorporate standards from the current Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This is the second proposed rule change in an ongoing initiative to make the Commission’s procedural rules more clear, modern, and efficient. Comments on the proposed rule are due by April 30, 2012
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Feb 27, 2012
Senior FMC Executives and Managers Assume New Responsibilities
Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr., announced that six FMC executives and managers have taken on new leadership responsibilities: Dr. Austin L. Schmitt is now serving as Director, Strategic Planning and Regulatory Review (202-523-5800, aschmitt@fmc.gov). Sandra L. Kusumoto is now serving as Director, Bureau of Trade Analysis (202-523-5796, skusumoto@fmc.gov). Vern W. Hill is now serving as Director, Bureau of Certification and Licensing (202-523-5787, vhill@fmc.gov). Jennifer M. Gartlan is
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