FMC collects $2.13 million from compromise agreements

FMC collects $2.13 million from compromise agreements    The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has collected about $2.13 million in civil penalties from seven vessel-operating common carriers and ocean transportation intermediaries for alleged violations of the 1984 Shipping Act.
   The agency collected the largest amounts in civil penalties from vessel operating common carrier China Shipping Container Lines of Shanghai and Texas-based OTI Team Ocean Services.
   China Shipping agreed to pay the FMC $1.85 million for allegedly providing transportation services at less than the applicable rates and charges published in its tariffs and service contracts. The carrier allegedly allowed “non-signatory shippers unlawful access to service contracts, by false classification of commodities and by failing to enforce service contract provisions relating to minimum quantity commitments and liquidated damages,” the FMC said.
   The FMC said Team Ocean Services agreed to pay a civil penalty of $100,000 for allegedly accessing service contracts of an unlawful overseas non-vessel-operating common carrier, by “falsely identifying the shipper and consignee on the master bills of lading and by permitting its customers to obtain transportation at rates other than those in published tariffs.”
   Other vessel-operating common carriers and OTI cited by the FMC for alleged Shipping Act violations include:
   *Compania Sud Americana de Vapores in Valparaiso, Chile — $50,000.
   *Logical Logistics International of Atlanta — $50,000.
   *Patron Services and Cap Consolidators, both of Baltimore — $45,000.
   *Airmar Cargo Services of Miami — $20,000.
   *Transit Worldwide Corp. and Michael Guerrero in Miami — $15,000.
   The FMC said none of the firms admitted to violating the Shipping Act or the commission’s regulations, but agreed to pay the penalties.