Federal Maritime Commission – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) is revising its regulations to implement the provisions of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018. The proposed revisions include amendments to the regulations governing: Commission meetings; ocean transportation intermediary licensing, financial responsibility, and general duties, and the submission of public comments on ocean common carrier and marine terminal operator agreements. The revisions also include miscellaneous updates to the references to statutory provisions reorganized by the LoBiondo Act.

The Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) is publishing this final rule to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by the Commission, pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act). The 2015 Act requires that agencies adjust and publish their civil penalties by January 15 each year.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC or Commission) hereby gives notice that it has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for an reinstatement of the existing collection requirements under 46 CFR part 535Ocean Common Carrier and Marine Terminal Operator Agreements Subject to the Shipping Act of 1984.

The Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) is giving public notice that the agency has submitted a revision to the information collection described in this notice, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. The public is invited to comment on the revised information collection pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) amends its rules governing licensing, registration, financial responsibility requirements, and general duties for ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs). The changes are mainly administrative and procedural.

The Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) is revising its delegations to the Bureau of Enforcement and its procedures for initiating enforcement action in order to facilitate Commission oversight.

The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking public comment on its interpretation of the Shipping Act prohibition against failing to establish, observe, and enforce just and reasonable regulations and practices relating to or connected with receiving, handling, storing, or delivering property with respect to demurrage and detention. Specifically, the Commission is providing guidance as to what it will consider in assessing whether a demurrage or detention practice is unjust or unreasonable. Upon consideration of the request of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC), the Commission has determined to extend the comment period in this matter to October 31, 2019.

The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking public comment on its interpretation of the Shipping Act prohibition against failing to establish, observe, and enforce just and reasonable regulations and practices relating to or connected with receiving, handling, storing, or delivering property with respect to demurrage and detention. Specifically, the Commission is providing guidance as to what it will consider in assessing whether a demurrage or detention practice is unjust or unreasonable.

The Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) is seeking public comments on proposed modifications to the hearing procedures governing the denial, revocation, or suspension of an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license. The revised hearing procedures are intended to align more with other Commission hearing procedures, ensure a more streamlined process and fulfill the need for more detailed procedural requirements.