FMC REQUESTS COMMENTS ON TRUCKERS’ COMPLAINTS ABOUT NEW YORK PORT

FMC REQUESTS COMMENTS ON TRUCKERS’ COMPLAINTS ABOUT NEW YORK PORT    The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has asked for industry comments on a petition by the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers, Inc. seeking an investigation under the Shipping Act of 1984 of certain terminal activities in the New York/New Jersey port district.
   The petition, filed with the FMC on Nov. 18, asks the commission to determine whether the truck detention practices and tariff regulations of the marine terminal operators American Stevedoring, Port Newark Container Terminal and Universal Maritime Service constitute unjust and unreasonable practices and regulations in violation of Section 10(d)(1) of the Shipping Act.
   The truckers’ association alleged that the terminal operators are causing port congestion and delay by manipulating entry through the terminal gate or point of processing.
   The association claims that the three terminal operators and their grouping — the New York    Terminal Conference — have established excessive free time provisions in their tariff to avoid paying detention penalties to trucking companies.
   The terminal operators named in the petition are entitled to file a reply pursuant the commission’s rules 46 C.F.R. 502.69 and 502.74.
   To make a thorough evaluation of the petition, the commission is also inviting interested persons to submit their comments on the petition. Replies to the Petition and any comments are by Dec. 20.