FMC PURSUES CANAVERAL PORT AUTHORITY TUG CASE

FMC PURSUES CANAVERAL PORT AUTHORITY TUG CASE    The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has scheduled an oral argument to
assist in its determination of whether Canaveral Port Authority in Florida
has violated the 1984 Shipping Act.
   The argument will be held at the FMC’s Washington headquarters on Jan. 14
at 10 a.m.
   In this proceeding, the FMC will review the Canaveral Port Authority’s
refusal to deal or negotiate with Tugz International regarding its June 13,
2000, and Sept. 18, 2001 applications for a tug and towing franchise in the
port and whether the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution limits the FMC’s
authority to regulate the Canaveral Port Authority.
   At the meeting, the FMC’s Bureau of Enforcement and intervenor in support
of its position, Tugz International, will appear first and be allotted 30
minutes for argument, of which a portion may be reserved for rebuttal.
Canaveral Port Authority and intervenor in support of its position, Seabulk
Towing, are also allowed 30 minutes to argue their side.