The Federal Maritime Commission will adopt a proposed rule to modernize and clarify some requirements associated with the filing of marine terminal operator schedules, the commission said in a final rule issued this week. The rule, originally proposed in September (see 2109210014), is intended to update “outdated” requirements and clarify existing definitions, such as “bulk cargo” and “marine terminal operator.” The changes, which don’t affect policy, take effect April 18.
The Federal Maritime Commission this week extended the public comment deadline for its pre-rule on new demurrage and detention billing requirements (see 2202070026 and 2202140002) by 30 days. Comments were originally due March 17, but industry will now have until April 16 to submit feedback. More than 30 trade groups had asked FMC earlier this month to extend the deadline (see 2203070006).
More than 30 trade groups asked the Federal Maritime Commission to extend the public comment deadline as it considers new demurrage and detention billing requirements (see 2202070026 and 2202140002). A March 3 letter to the FMC -- signed by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, the Consumer Technology Association and others -- requests a 30-day extension to the March 17 deadline.
The Justice Department and the Federal Maritime Commission agreed to more closely cooperate on Shipping Act enforcement, the two agencies announced. DOJ will provide FMC with attorneys and economists from its Antitrust Division to help with enforcement, while FMC will provide the Antitrust Division “support and maritime industry expertise.” The announcement builds on the two agencies’ July memorandum of understanding to foster better cooperation on enforcement and oversight of competition issues in the ocean shipping industry (see 2107120055). “Lawbreakers should know that the Justice Department will provide the Federal Maritime Commission all necessary litigation support as it pursues its mission of promoting competition in ocean shipping,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
Crate and Barrel agreed to take steps to correct certain country-of-origin claims it made, the Federal Trade Commission said in a recent closing letter. "During our review, we discussed concerns relating to potentially deceptive 'Made in USA' claims for a set of drinking glasses we identified as containing significant imported content, as well as more general concerns relating to Crate and Barrel’s process for ensuring the accuracy of country-of-origin claims across the Company’s website," the agency said.
The International Trade Commission published the timeline of its analysis of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, an investigation requested by Congress ahead of the program's expiration date. Those who wish to file requests to appear at the public hearing must do so by May 25; the public hearing will be held June 9.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule reclassifying the Stephens’ kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi), a small, nocturnal mammal native to Southern California, from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit.
Twenty-one technology, auto and business groups urged the House and Senate to quickly negotiate a compromise for their China competition bills that would authorize funding for the Chips Act and other domestic semiconductor sector investments. The Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate and House should “take immediate action to reconcile the two bills” and send a passed version to President Joe Biden, the groups said in a Feb. 16 letter signed by the Semiconductor Industry Association, SEMI, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Automotive Policy Council and others.
The Federal Maritime Commission reminded traders this week about the various resources available to shippers seeking to file complaints. The guidance, released by Commissioner Rebecca Dye, explains the differences between a small claims complaint and a formal complaint and links to the FMC’s Filing a Shipping Act Complaint landing page. Dye said she supports “clarifying Commission procedures through a variety of means,” including holding a webinar.
With new data out about exports to China, economist Chad Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics says that China only bought 60% of the goods it promised, and about 57% of all it promised, when services are included. In all, China said it would buy $502.4 billion from U.S. sources in 2020 and 2021.