FMC EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD FOR CHINA SHIPPING PRACTICES INQUIRY

FMC EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD FOR CHINA SHIPPING PRACTICES INQUIRY    The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission will extend the industry comment period for its notice of inquiry into shipping restrictions, requirements and practices for China until June 27.
   The extension was requested by the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, said Theodore A. Zook, assistant secretary of the FMC.
   The FMC announced its notice of inquiry into China’s shipping rules on March 12, shortly after China announced its new regulations for international maritime transportation.
   The FMC said it was concerned about “serious restrictions affecting the ability of:
   * U.S. ocean transportation intermediaries, carriers and other providers of transportation services to obtain the necessary licenses and permissions to do business in China.
   * Non-Chinese vessel operators to operate or increase the number of their branch offices in China, including restrictions on the geographic area they may serve and the scope of services they may offer.
   * Vessel operators and non-vessel operating common carriers to establish rates they charge customers for carriage to and from China without filing or government approval of rate levels and with the confidentiality accorded ocean common carrier service contract rates under U.S. law.”
   The FMC said it would use the industry’s comments to help determine whether Chinese laws, rules, regulations or practices require proceedings under section 19 of the 1920 Merchant Marine Act or the 1988 Foreign Shipping Practices Act.