U.S FMC SEEKS COMMENTS ON CHANGING CARRIER AGREEMENT FILING INFORMATION

    The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking public comment on whether
changes are needed in the FMC’s agreement-filing regulations, to reflect
changes in the international shipping industry.
   The commission is seeking input on all issues relevant to the current
agreement-filing regulations for conferences, discussion agreements,
vessel-sharing agreements, space charter agreements and cooperative work
agreements.
   During the 60-day comment period, the FMC is also seeking input on
"particular areas of concern," such as:
   * The possible elimination of filing exemptions for routine operational
or administrative matters.
   * Burdens or commercial harm associated with filing agreements with the
commission.
   * Whether the FMC should adopt standards for different classes of
agreements, such as conference or discussion agreements as opposed to space and vessel charter agreements.
   * Whether space or vessel charter rates should be withheld from public
disclosure.
   * How the FMC could take measures to protect commercially sensitive
information contained in agreements.
   For further information, telephone Florence A. Carr, director of the
agency’s office of economics and agreement analysis, at (202) 523-5787.