The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) should take a closer look into the "congestion surcharges" planned by ocean carriers if there's a labor contract disruption at the West Coast ports, said a number of industry groups in a letter to the FMC. While the letter voiced appreciation for the agency's recent advisory on the issue (see 14060214), they said the FMC should be able to provide more information to those affected by the surcharges. The groups also voiced their support for a recent National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America letter to the agency that also asked the FMC to step in on port disruption issues (see 14060613).

While China's Ministry of Commerce recently decided against allowing for the P3 Network Sharing Agreement, the Federal Maritime Commission's approval will remain in effect, the FMC said. The agency took a long look and ultimately approved the pact (see 14032117), which would allow for regional vessel sharing among the three largest container carriers: Maersk Line, CMA-CGM, and Mediterranean Shipping Company. "The Commission’s decision remains in effect absent a withdrawal of the agreement by the parties," it said. FMC Chairman Mario Cordero touted the effects of carrier alliances in a statement. "Ocean carrier vessel space alliances offer the potential benefit of cost savings and environmental efficiencies that come from coordinated deployment of newer, larger vessels," he said. "The FMC, in evaluating such agreements, will continue to balance those benefits with the potential harm from a concentration of decision-making power in terms of port coverage, sailing schedules, and necessary trade lane capacity."

The Federal Maritime Commission formally asked the parties to the OVSA/PIL Space Charter Agreement to provide additional information about the agreement. The request prevents the agreement from taking effect as originally scheduled. Interested parties can file comments on the request by July 9. Parties to Agreement No.: 012274 are: Hamburg Sud; Hapag-Lloyd AG; CMA CGM S.A./ANL Singapore Pte Ltd. (acting as a single party); and Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd.

The Federal Maritime Commission released a notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreement to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 10 days.

The Coast Guard will impose conditions of entry for vessels arriving from ports in Nigeria, after finding the country does not have adequate anti-terrorism measures in place. Effective June 26, vessels that have visited a Nigerian port in its last five port calls must meet certain requirements related to vessel security in order to . The conditions do not apply to certain terminals at the ports of Apapa, Bonny, Calabar, Escravos, Forcados, Onne, and Tincan/Lagos.

The rules in effect on the date cargo is received by the common carrier or its agent govern any given shipment, said the Federal Maritime Commission in an industry advisory. Therefore, under FMC regulations, "if any cargo-related disruption were to occur at a port after cargo has been tendered by a shipper, a carrier may only lawfully charge the rates in effect on the day the cargo is tendered," it said. The rules apply both to import and export cargo, said the FMC. the agency also noted that any tariff rule, including surcharges, of a common carrier that results in an increased cost to a shipper may not be effective earlier than 30 days after publication. The advisory is in response to "numerous informal inquiries in relation to certain congestion surcharges," it said.

The Federal Maritime Commission released a notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreement to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 10 days.

The International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee gave its OK to a new container weight verification requirement for loading ships, said the World Shipping Council (WSC). The new requirement comes as part of changes approved by the committee on the Safety of Life at Sea conventions, said the WSC. The changes will be effective July 2016 after the committee officially adopts the changes in November, said the trade group. "Misdeclared container weights have been a long-standing problem for the transportation industry and for governments as they present safety hazards for ships, their crews, and other cargo on board, workers in the port facilities handling containers, and on roads," said the WSC. Problems with container weights also give rise to customs issues, the group said. "In taking these decisions, the IMO has demonstrated its continuing leadership in trying to ensure the safe transportation of cargo by the international shipping industry,” said Chris Koch, CEO of WSC, which advocated for the changes..

The Federal Maritime Commission said it rescinded an order of ocean transportation intermediary license revocation .

The Federal Maritime Commission released a notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreement to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 10 days.