MORAN URGES SHIPPERS TO PARTICIPATE IN MARITIME POLICY

MORAN URGES SHIPPERS TO PARTICIPATE IN MARITIME POLICY    U.S. shippers, particularly exporters, should take a more active role in helping the Federal Maritime Commission combat unfair trade practices, agency commissioner John Moran told a recent meeting of agricultural shippers in San Francisco.
   Addressing the annual meeting of the Agricultural Ocean Transportation Coalition (AgOTC), Moran pointed out the sale of major U.S.-owned shipping lines to foreign interests and increasing consolidation in the liner industry as a reason for shippers to consider taking a more active role in helping the FMC to ensure free and open shipping access to foreign markets.
   “Foreign-flag carriers and (ocean transportation) intermediaries, as well as shippers, have benefited from FMC attention and market opening actions,” Moran said. “But given recent changes in ownership and increasing consolidation in the liner industry, it is not at all clear that in the future U.S. shippers can rely on U.S.-flag carriers to serve as they have in the past as the point of the spear.
   “It may be now necessary more than ever before for shippers to step up to the plate to protect their long-term interests in a free and open international ocean transportation system,” Moran said.
   The FMC will continue to use its authority to address unfair shipping practices, Moran said.
   “The commission is ready, able and willing to fulfill its statutory mandate in this area,” Moran said. “The authors of that mandate, Congress and the president, expect no less of us.”