The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) expressed concern at a Sept. 18 meeting regarding application of China’s Value-Added Tax (VAT) Program and its potential negative impacts on ocean-borne international commerce between the U.S. and China. In response to requests for assistance from members of the shipping industry (See 13081511), FMC is now considering options to “obtain further clarity” on the VAT program.
The Federal Maritime Commission is expected to make a decision by March 16, 2015, on a complaint filed by non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC) Global Link Logistics against ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd for the latter’s alleged refusal to negotiate the rates it charged the NVOCC under its service contract, as well as discriminatory treatment. Global Link is requesting reparations for violations of the Shipping Act, as well other damages, costs, and attorney’s fees. FMC assigned the case to an administrative law judge, who is expected to make an initial decision by Sept. 15, 2014.
The International Code Council will consider a proposed fire code change that would require certain pallet stacking patterns for outdoor and indoor storage, said the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association. The ICC will consider the proposal during an Oct. 3 meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The proposed code changes would include height restrictions and distance requirements between stacks of wooden and plastic pallets. The proposal and public comments are on pages 1486-1499 (here)
A briefing on the West Coast Marine Terminal Operators Agreement's PierPASS Traffic Mitigation Fee tops the agenda of the Federal Maritime Commission's closed session meeting at 10 a.m. Sept. 18, according to a Federal Register notice. Also on the agenda is the China value added tax affecting ocean export freight shipments.
The Federal Maritime Commission said the following have filed applications for a license as a Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVO) and/or Ocean Freight Forwarder (OFF)-Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) pursuant to section 19 of the Shipping Act of 1984. The FMC also gave notice of the filing of applications to amend an existing OTI license or the qualifying individual for a license. Interested persons may contact the Office of Transportation Intermediaries, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, D.C. 20573, at 202-523-5843 or at OTI@fmc.gov.
Clarification: Livingston International was one of several sponsors of a recent survey performed by American Shipper and BPE (see 13090916).
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. Agreements Filed (here):
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is asking for comments by Nov. 5 on possible changes to regulations on the transportation of hazardous materials by rail. The eight proposed amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations would:
Chairman Mario Cordero discussed proposed changes to Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) regulations for Ocean Transport Intermediaries during an Aug. 22 address to members of the Los Angeles Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association (LACBFFA). Cordero said the proposed changes to the FMC’s OTI regulations under the proposed rulemaking (see 13082122) could make the FMC’s “regulatory process more efficient” by “improving transparency” and adapting to changing industry conditions.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is beginning a pilot to test off-site review of new motor carriers in five states and five Canadian provinces, it said Sept. 5. Under the program, FMCSA will require remote submissions of documentation from new carriers, instead of safety audits at the carrier’s place of business. The pilot, which began in June, will cover new entrant motor carriers in California, Florida, Illinois, Montana, and New York, as well as in Canadian provinces bordering Montana and New York (British Colombia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec) that are audited by FMCSA inspectors from those states. The initiative is meant to ease the burden of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act’s shortening of the timeframe between a new motor carrier’s receipt of a USDOT number and the safety audit from 18 to 12 months.