Licensing, Financial Responsibility Requirements, and General Duties for Ocean Transportation Intermediaries, 64502-64506 [2018-27062]

Agencies

• Federal Maritime Commission

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 241 (Monday, December 17, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64502-64506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27062]



[[Page 64502]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

46 CFR Part 515

[Docket No. 18-11]
RIN 3072-AC73


Licensing, Financial Responsibility Requirements, and General 
Duties for Ocean Transportation Intermediaries

AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC or Commission) proposes 
to amend its rules governing licensing, financial responsibility 
requirements, and general duties for ocean transportation 
intermediaries (OTIs). The proposed changes are mainly administrative 
and procedural.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 18, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the Docket Number in 
the heading of this document by the following methods:
     Email: secretary@fmc.gov. For comments, include in the 
subject line: ``Docket No. 18-11, Comments on Proposed OTI 
Regulations.'' Comments should be attached to the email as a Microsoft 
Word or text-searchable PDF document. Only non-confidential and public 
versions of confidential comments should be submitted by email.
     Mail: Rachel E. Dickon, Secretary, Federal Maritime 
Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573-0001.
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments, 
including requesting confidential treatment of comments, and additional 
information on the rulemaking process, see the Public Participation 
heading of the Supplementary Information section of this document. Note 
that all comments received will be posted without change to the 
Commission's website, unless the commenter has requested confidential 
treatment.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to the Commission's Electronic Reading Room at: 
https://www.fmc.gov/18-11, or to the Docket Activity Library at 800 
North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20573, between 9:00 a.m. to 
5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Telephone: 
(202) 523-5725.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel E. Dickon, Secretary. Phone: 
(202) 523-5725. Email: secretary@fmc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    There are two types of OTIs that serve as transportation middlemen 
for cargo moving in the U.S.-foreign oceanborne trades: Non-vessel-
operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and ocean freight forwarders (OFFs). 
An NVOCC is a common carrier that holds itself out to the public to 
provide ocean transportation and issues its own house bill of lading or 
equivalent document, but does not operate the vessel by which ocean 
transportation is provided. An OFF domiciled in the U.S. arranges for 
the transportation of cargo with a common carrier on behalf of shippers 
and processes documents related to U.S. export shipments. The Shipping 
Act of 1984 and 46 CFR part 515 require that all NVOCCs and OFFs 
located in the U.S. must be licensed by the Commission and must 
establish financial responsibility.
    NVOCCs doing business in the U.S.-foreign trades but located 
outside the U.S. (foreign NVOCCs) may choose to become FMC-licensed, 
but are not required to do so. Foreign-based NVOCCs must nonetheless 
register with the Commission and establish financial responsibility if 
not licensed under the FMC's program.
    On November 3, 2015, the Federal Maritime Commission published a 
final rule making significant amendments to its regulations governing 
OTIs. These changes included adding requirements to renew OTI licenses 
every three years; providing for simple on-line renewals; eliminating 
the $10,000 financial responsibility coverage requirement for each 
unincorporated branch office; and establishing an expedited hearing 
process for license denials, revocations, and suspensions, while 
continuing to provide applicants and licensees due process and the 
ability to appeal adverse decisions to the Commission. Most of the 
changes were implemented in December 2015, and OTI license renewals 
were initiated in 2017.

II. Proposed Changes to Part 515

    Based on its experience implementing the revised regulations, the 
Commission has identified a number of regulatory provisions where 
clarification is warranted. Accordingly, the Commission is proposing 
changes to its current rules that are administrative or procedural in 
nature or will further reduce the regulatory burden on regulated 
entities and include: (1) Updating the title and scope of Part 515 to 
include foreign-based NVOCC registrations; (2) clarifying the 
requirements for U.S. agents of foreign-based registered NVOCCs; (3) 
removing the optional paper application process and related reference 
to fee amounts; (4) adding language to clarify who can be the 
Qualifying Individual (QI) in partnerships between entities other than 
individuals; (5) updating and improving processes (renewal, bond, and 
termination); (6) adding clarifying language regarding the Commission's 
direct review of applications in certain cases; (7) clarifying the 
information that sureties are to provide regarding claims against OTIs; 
(8) adding a requirement that NVOCCs submit their Form FMC-1 prior to 
being issued a license; and (9) deleting reference to availability of 
the Regulated Person's Index. None of the proposed changes increase the 
burden to applicants, licensees, or registered foreign-based NVOCCs.

A. Part 515 Title and Scope

    The proposed rule would add ``Registration'' to the part heading to 
reflect that foreign-based NVOCCs have the option of registering or 
becoming licensed. The proposed rule would similarly include 
registration in the description of the scope of part 515 in Sec.  
515.1.

B. U.S. Agents for Registered NVOCCs

    Section 515.3 currently requires a registered foreign-based NVOCC 
to use licensed OTIs as agents to provide NVOCC services in the United 
States. Stakeholders have asked for clarification as to whether such 
agents can be either OFFs or NVOCCs. The proposed language clarifies 
that the licensed OTI agents can be either OFFs or NVOCCs.

C. Forms and Application Fees

    The proposed rule would remove references in Sec. Sec.  515.5 and 
515.14 to renewal forms for licensed OTIs. These references are not 
needed because the data collection during the renewal process is the 
same as the data collection of the initial Form FMC-18.
    Proposed changes to Sec.  515.5(b) and Sec.  515.12(a) would 
eliminate the paper application option for OTI licenses, based on the 
Commission's experience since introducing the electronic filing option. 
The Commission has not received any requests for a waiver to file a 
paper application since the waiver requirement was implemented in 
November 2015.
    Finally, the Commission is proposing to replace an outdated 
reference to ``Form FMC-18 Rev.'' in Sec. Sec.  515.5, 515.12 with 
``Form FMC-18.''

D. Qualifying Individuals in Partnerships Between Entities

    The qualifying individual (QI) requirements in Sec.  515.11(b) 
regarding

[[Page 64503]]

partnerships assume that the managing partners are individuals and thus 
eligible to be the QI for the partnership. In order to address the 
situation in which the managing partners are entities rather than 
individuals, clarifying language has been added indicating that an 
officer of a general partner entity may be the QI.

E. Submission of Form FMC-1 as Prerequisite for License

    The proposed changes to Sec.  515.14(a) would require NVOCCs 
applying for a license to provide the Commission with a Form FMC-1 
prior to the Commission issuing a license, which conforms to the 
current procedures for foreign-based NVOCCs that register with the 
Commission.\1\ Currently, a license is issued after approval by the 
Commission and receipt of proof of financial responsibility. Although 
NVOCCs are required under Sec.  520.3 to submit a Form FMC-1 prior to 
the commencement of common carrier service pursuant to a published 
tariff, submission of the form is not currently a prerequisite for 
receiving a license. Like the current requirement for submitting proof 
of financial responsibility, the proposed change would require NVOCCs 
to submit a Form FMC-1 within 120 days of the conditional approval of 
their license application. Failure to submit the form within that time 
period would require the NVOCC to submit a new application to restart 
the license process. This change would ensure that NVOCCs comply with 
all requirements for commencing service in the U.S. trades in a timely 
manner. This change would add no additional burden to NVOCCs seeking 
licenses as they are already required to provide the Commission with a 
Form FMC-1; the proposed change merely affects the timing of the 
submission of the form.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The proposed rule would also make minor clarifying changes 
to the corresponding requirement in Sec.  515.19 for foreign-based 
NVOCCs registering with the Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because the proposed Form FMC-1 requirements mirror the existing 
requirements for submitting proof of financial responsibility, the 
latter requirement would be removed from Sec.  515.25 and combined with 
the Form FMC-1 requirements being added to Sec.  515.14(a).

F. License Renewal Process

    The proposed rule would make a number of changes to Sec.  515.14 to 
improve and clarify the license renewal process. In addition to some 
minor clarifying the language changes, the proposed rule would change 
the initial period between licensing and renewal from three years to a 
period of not less than one year to not greater than four years. This 
change would spread out license renewals across the entire year and 
thereby facilitate the efficient and prompt processing of such 
renewals.
    The proposed rule would also change the deadline for completing the 
renewal process. Currently, Sec.  515.14 requires licensed OTIs to 
complete the renewal process no later than 60 days prior to the renewal 
date. The proposed rule would change the deadline to the renewal date 
itself. This change would reduce the burden on licensed OTIs by 
allowing them additional time to complete the renewal process.

G. Application After Revocation or Denial

    The proposed rule would expand the types of applications subject to 
direct Commission review to include applicants employing any of the 
same officers, managers, or members as an OTI whose license was revoked 
or denied within the previous three years because the Commission 
determined that the OTI was not qualified to provide OTI services. The 
applications currently subject to direct Commission review are limited 
to those submitted by the OTI whose license was previously denied or 
revoked, or those from another OTI that employs the same QI or is 
controlled by persons whose conduct formed the basis for the previous 
revocation or denial. The Commission believes that an OTI employing an 
officer, manager, or member of another OTI that previously had its 
license denied or revoked raises the same concerns as an OTI employing 
the same QI and has tentatively concluded that direct review of 
applications by such OTIs is warranted.
    The proposed rule would also add clarifying language to more 
clearly reflect that denial of an application under Sec.  515.18 is 
final and not subject to the hearing procedures in Sec.  515.17.

H. Reporting Changes in Trade Names

    The proposed rule would clarify in Sec.  515.20 that a change in a 
licensee's name includes adding or deleting a trade name relating to 
its OTI services. OTIs must seek prior approval from the Commission 
before making such changes.

I. Proof of Financial Responsibility

    The proposed rule would clarify in Sec.  515.22 that OTIs may 
submit proof of financial responsibility via email, and, in Sec.  
515.26, that the Commission may transmit notices of termination of 
financial instruments via email. Allowing transmission of this 
information by email reduces delays and the burdens on both OTIs and 
the Commission.
    The proposed rule would also clarify that in addition to the 
principal's name, trade name, and address, the financial responsibility 
instrument must clearly identify the principal's state of incorporation 
or formation, and the printed name and title of the signatory.

J. Claims Against an OTI

    The proposed rule would require that financial responsibility 
providers include a registered foreign-based NVOCC's organization 
number when notifying the Commission of claims against that NVOCC under 
Sec.  515.23(c). The current rule requires that financial 
responsibility providers include an OTI's license number, but 
registered foreign-based NVOCC's do not have license numbers. This 
change would ensure that the organization number for registered NVOCCs 
would be included in claim notifications to the Commission. 
Notwithstanding the ambiguity in the rule, financial responsibility 
providers currently provide this information with OTI claim 
information; thus, this proposed change would not result in any 
additional burdens for financial responsibility providers.

K. Regulated Persons Index

    The proposed rule would delete Sec.  515.34, which references the 
availability of the Regulated Persons Index (RPI) on the Commission 
website. The Commission has tentatively determined that because the RPI 
is available on the website, and the Commission advertises that fact, 
this section is no longer helpful or necessary.

III. Public Participation

How do I prepare and submit comments?

    Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your 
comments are correctly filed in the docket, please include the docket 
number of this document in your comments.
    You may submit your comments via email to the email address listed 
above under ADDRESSES. Please include the docket number associated with 
this notice and the subject matter in the subject line of the email. 
Comments should be attached to the email as a Microsoft Word or text-
searchable PDF document. Only non-confidential and public versions of 
confidential comments should be submitted by email.

[[Page 64504]]

    You may also submit comments by mail to the address listed above 
under ADDRESSES.

How do I submit confidential business information?

    The Commission will provide confidential treatment for identified 
confidential information to the extent allowed by law. If your comments 
contain confidential information, you must submit the following by mail 
to the address listed above under ADDRESSES:
     A transmittal letter requesting confidential treatment 
that identifies the specific information in the comments for which 
protection is sought and demonstrates that the information is a trade 
secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial 
information.
     A confidential copy of your comments, consisting of the 
complete filing with a cover page marked ``Confidential-Restricted,'' 
and the confidential material clearly marked on each page. You should 
submit the confidential copy to the Commission by mail.
     A public version of your comments with the confidential 
information excluded. The public version must state ``Public Version--
confidential materials excluded'' on the cover page and on each 
affected page, and must clearly indicate any information withheld. You 
may submit the public version to the Commission by email or mail.

Will the Commission consider late comments?

    The Commission will consider all comments received before the close 
of business on the comment closing date indicated above under DATES. To 
the extent possible, we will also consider comments received after that 
date. If the Commission receives a comment too late to consider in 
developing a final rule (assuming that one is issued), the Commission 
will consider that comment as an informal suggestion for future 
rulemaking action.

How can I read comments submitted by other people?

    You may read the comments received by the Commission at the 
Commission's Electronic Reading Room or the Docket Activity Library at 
the addresses listed above under ADDRESSES.
    Please note that even after the comment closing date, we may 
continue to file relevant information in the docket as it becomes 
available. Further, some commenters may submit late comments. 
Accordingly, we recommend that you periodically check the docket for 
new material.

IV. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (codified as amended at 5 U.S.C. 
601-612) provides that whenever an agency is required to publish a 
notice of proposed rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act 
(APA) (5 U.S.C. 553), the agency must prepare and make available for 
public comment an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) 
describing the impact of the proposed rule on small entities, unless 
the head of the agency certifies that the rulemaking will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
5 U.S.C. 603, 605. Based on the analysis below, the Chairman of the 
Federal Maritime Commission certifies that this final rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.
    The Commission recognizes that the majority of businesses affected 
by these rules (OTIs) qualify as small entities under the guidelines of 
the Small Business Administration. The proposed rule would not, 
however, result in a significant economic impact on these businesses. 
No material changes are being proposed; the proposed rule would make 
minor changes to the licensing, registration, and financial 
responsibility processes. Most of the proposed changes will have little 
to no economic impact on OTIs, while some of the proposed changes, 
e.g., changes to the deadline for renewing licenses, expressly allowing 
email transmission of documents between OTIs and the Commission, are 
expected to reduce burdens on OTIs.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521) requires 
an agency to seek and receive approval from the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) before collecting information from the public. 44 
U.S.C. 3507. The agency must submit collections of information in 
proposed rules to OMB in conjunction with the publication of the notice 
of proposed rulemaking. 5 CFR 1320.11.
    The information collection requirements for Part 515 are currently 
authorized under OMB Control Numbers 3072-0018: 46 CFR 515--Licensing, 
Financial Responsibility Requirements, and General Duties for Ocean 
Transportation Intermediaries and Related Forms. Although the proposed 
rule would result in very minor changes to this collection of 
information, none of these changes is substantive or material. The 
proposed rule would result minor adjustments to information provided to 
the Commission and the timing of such submissions, as well as expressly 
allowing the submission of certain information by email. None of these 
changes are expected to affect the burden hours associated with the 
information collection.
    As these changes are neither substantive nor material, the 
Commission is not required to submit them to OMB for approval. See 44 
U.S.C. 3507(h)(3); 5 CFR 1320.5(g) (requiring OMB approval of 
substantive or material modifications to information collections).

National Environmental Policy Act

    The Commission's regulations categorically exclude certain 
rulemakings from any requirement to prepare an environmental assessment 
or an environmental impact statement because they do not increase or 
decrease air, water or noise pollution or the use of fossil fuels, 
recyclables, or energy. 46 CFR 504.4. This proposed rule relates to OTI 
licensing and financial responsibility requirements and therefore falls 
within the categorical exclusions for matters related to the issuance, 
modification, denial and revocation of ocean transportation 
intermediary licenses, and matters related to the receipt of surety 
bonds from OTIs. Sec.  504.4(a)(1), (3). Therefore, no environmental 
assessment or environmental impact statement is required.

Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This proposed rule meets applicable standards in E.O. 12988 titled, 
``Civil Justice Reform,'' to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, 
and reduce burden.

Regulation Identifier Number

    The Commission assigns a regulation identifier number (RIN) to each 
regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory 
and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda). The Regulatory Information 
Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of 
each year. You may use the RIN contained in the heading at the 
beginning of this document to find this action in the Unified Agenda, 
available at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain.

[[Page 64505]]

List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 515

    Freight, Freight forwarders, Maritime carriers, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    For the reasons stated in the supplementary information, the 
Federal Maritime Commission proposes to amend 46 CFR part 515 as 
follows:

PART 515--LICENSING, REGISTRATION, FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 
REQUIREMENTS, AND GENERAL DUTIES FOR OCEAN TRANSPORTATION 
INTERMEDIARIES

0
1. The authority citation for part 515 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 553; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 305, 40102, 
40104, 40501-40503, 40901-40904, 41101-41109, 41301-41302, 41305-
41307; Pub. L. 105-383, 112 Stat. 3411; 21 U.S.C. 862.

0
2. Revise the part heading to read as set forth above.
0
3. Amend Sec.  515.1 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (a) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  515.1  Scope.

    (a) This part sets forth regulations providing for the licensing 
and registration as ocean transportation intermediaries of persons who 
wish to carry on the business of providing intermediary services, 
including the grounds and procedures for revocation and suspension of 
licenses and registrations. * * *
* * * * *
0
4. Revise Sec.  515.3 to read as follows:


Sec.  515.3  License; when required.

    Except as otherwise provided in this part, no person in the United 
States may act as an ocean transportation intermediary unless that 
person holds a valid license issued by the Commission. For purposes of 
this part, a person is considered to be ``in the United States'' if 
such person is resident in, or incorporated or established under, the 
laws of the United States. Registered NVOCCs must utilize only licensed 
ocean transportation intermediaries (Ocean Freight Forwarders or 
NVOCCs) to provide NVOCC services in the United States. In the United 
States, only licensed OTIs (Ocean Freight Forwarders or NVOCCs) may act 
as agents to provide OTI services for registered NVOCCs.
0
5. Amend Sec.  515.5 by revising paragraphs (a), (b), and (c)(2) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  515.5  Forms and fees.

    (a) Forms. License Application Form FMC-18 is found at the 
Commission's website www.fmc.gov for completion on-line by applicants 
and licensees. Foreign-based Unlicensed NVOCC Registration/Renewal Form 
FMC-65 and financial responsibility Forms FMC-48, FMC-67, FMC-68, FMC-
69 may be obtained from the Commission's website at www.fmc.gov, from 
the Director, Bureau of Certification and Licensing, Federal Maritime 
Commission, Washington, DC 20573, or from any of the Commission's Area 
Representatives.
    (b) Filing of license application forms. All application forms are 
to be filed electronically.
    (c) * * *
    (2) Fees under this part 515 shall be as follows:
    (i) Application for new OTI license as required by Sec.  515.12(a): 
Filing $250.
    (ii) Application for change to OTI license or license transfer as 
required by Sec.  515.20(a) and (b): Filing $125.
0
6. Amend Sec.  515.11 by revising paragraph (b)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  515.11  Basic requirements for licensing; eligibility.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Partnership. At least one of the active managing partners, 
unless the partners are entities, such as corporations, in which case 
an officer, member, or manager of one of the entities as long as the 
entity is a general partner.
* * * * *
0
7. Amend Sec.  515.12 by revising the first sentence of paragraph 
(a)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  515.12  Application for license.

    (a) * * * (1) Any person who wishes to obtain a license to operate 
as an ocean transportation intermediary shall submit electronically a 
completed application Form FMC-18 (Application for a License as an 
Ocean Transportation Intermediary) in accordance with the automated 
FMC-18 filing system and corresponding instructions. * * *
* * * * *
0
8. Amend Sec.  515.14 by revising paragraphs (a), (c), (d)(1), and the 
first sentence of paragraph (d)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  515.14  Issuance, renewal, and use of license.

    (a) Qualification necessary for issuance. (1) The Commission will 
issue a license if it determines, as a result of its investigation, 
that the applicant possesses the necessary experience and character to 
render ocean transportation intermediary services; has filed the 
required bond, insurance or other surety; and has electronically 
submitted Form FMC-1 pursuant to Sec.  520.3 if approved to offer NVOCC 
service.
    (2) If, within 120 days of notification of conditional approval for 
licensing by the Commission, proof of financial responsibility and, in 
the case of an NVOCC, the Form FMC-1 is not received, the conditional 
approval of the application will be invalid. Applicants whose 
applications/approvals have become invalid may submit a new Form FMC-
18, together with the required filing fee, at any time.
* * * * *
    (c) Duration of license. Licenses shall be issued for an initial 
period of not less than one year and not greater than four years as 
determined by the license number and published on the Commission 
website. Thereafter, licenses will be renewed for sequential three-year 
periods upon successful completion of the renewal process in paragraph 
(d) of this section.
    (d) * * * (1) The licensee shall submit the renewal electronically 
to the Director of the Bureau of Certification and Licensing (BCL) no 
later than the renewal date as published on the Commission website. The 
renewal date (month/day) will remain the same for subsequent renewals 
irrespective of the date on which the license renewal is submitted or 
when the renewal is accepted by the Commission, unless another renewal 
date is assigned by the Commission.
    (2) Where information identified in an OTI's license renewal 
process is changed from that set out in its current Form FMC-18 and 
requires Commission approval pursuant to Sec.  515.20, the licensee 
must promptly submit a request for such approval on Form FMC-18 
together with the required filing fee. * * *
* * * * *
0
9. Revise Sec.  515.18 to read as follows:


Sec.  515.18  Application after revocation or denial.

    Whenever a license has been revoked or an application has been 
denied because the Commission has found the licensee or applicant to be 
not qualified to render ocean transportation intermediary services, any 
further application within 3 years of the Commission's notice of 
revocation or denial, made by such former licensee or applicant or by 
another applicant employing the same qualifying individual, officer(s), 
member(s), manager(s) or controlled by persons on whose conduct the 
Commission based its determination for revocation or denial, shall be 
reviewed directly by the Commission. If the Commission denies

[[Page 64506]]

the application, such denial is final and not subject to the hearing 
procedures described in Sec. Sec.  515.15 and 515.17.
0
10. Amend Sec.  515.19 by revising paragraphs (c), (e), and 
(g)(1)(viii) to read as follows:


Sec.  515.19  Registration of foreign-based unlicensed NVOCC.

* * * * *
    (c) Registrations are complete upon receipt of a registration form 
which meets the requirements of this section, evidence of financial 
responsibility pursuant to Sec.  515.21, and Form FMC-1 pursuant to 
Sec.  520.3.
* * * * *
    (e) A tariff shall not be published and NVOCC service shall not 
commence until the Commission receives valid proof of financial 
responsibility from the registrant and a Form FMC-1 has been submitted.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (viii) Failure to designate and maintain a person in the United 
States as legal agent for the receipt of judicial and administrative 
process, including subpoenas, as required by Sec.  515.24.
* * * * *
0
11. Amend Sec.  515.20 by revising paragraph (a)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  515.20  Changes in organization.

    (a) * * *
    (4) Any change in a licensee's name, including adding or deleting a 
trade name relating to its OTI services; or
* * * * *
0
12. Amend Sec.  515.22 by revising paragraph (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  515.22  Proof of financial responsibility.

* * * * *
    (e) All forms and documents for establishing financial 
responsibility of ocean transportation intermediaries prescribed in 
this section shall be submitted to the Director, Bureau of 
Certification and Licensing, via email to bcl@fmc.gov. Such forms and 
documents must clearly identify the principal's name; trade name, if 
any; address; the state of incorporation/formation; and the printed 
name and title of the signatory.
0
13. Amend Sec.  515.23 by revising paragraph (c)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  515.23  Claims against an ocean transportation intermediary.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) Notices required by this section shall include the name of the 
claimant, name of the court and case number assigned, and the name and 
license or organization number of the OTI involved. Such notices may 
include or attach other information relevant to the claim.
* * * * *
0
14. Amend Sec.  515.25 by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  515.25  Filing of proof of financial responsibility.

    (a) * * * (1) Licenses. Upon notification by the Commission that an 
applicant has been conditionally approved for licensing, the applicant 
shall file with the Director of the Commission's Bureau of 
Certification and Licensing, proof of financial responsibility in the 
form and amount prescribed in Sec.  515.21. No license will be issued 
until the Commission is in receipt of valid proof of financial 
responsibility.
* * * * *
0
15. Revise Sec.  515.26 to read as follows:


Sec.  515.26  Termination of financial responsibility.

    No license or registration shall remain in effect unless valid 
proof of a financial responsibility instrument is maintained on file 
with the Commission. Upon receipt of notice of termination of such 
financial responsibility, the Commission shall notify the concerned 
licensee, registrant, or registrant's legal agent in the United States, 
by email, mail, courier, or other method reasonably calculated to 
provide actual notice, at its last known email address or address, that 
the Commission shall, without hearing or other proceeding, revoke the 
license or terminate the registration as of the termination date of the 
financial responsibility instrument, unless the licensee or registrant 
shall have submitted valid replacement proof of financial 
responsibility before such termination date. Replacement financial 
responsibility must bear an effective date no later than the 
termination date of the expiring financial responsibility instrument.


Sec.  515.34   [REMOVED]

0
16. Remove Sec.  515.34.

    By the Commission.
Rachel E. Dickon,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-27062 Filed 12-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6731-AA-P