CARRIERS SEEK FMC APPROVAL FOR INTTRA

CARRIERS SEEK FMC APPROVAL FOR INTTRA    Five ocean carriers covering the world’s major trade lanes have officially requested U.S. regulatory approval of a plan to establish a portal for doing business over the Internet.
      INTTRA shareholders are Maersk Sealand, CMA CGM, Hamburg Sud, Mediterranean Shipping Co. and P&O Nedlloyd Ltd. The agreement would also provide for non-shareholding parties to use the portal on “an equal and non-discriminatory basis.”
   Services will include: schedule requests; booking requests; booking confirmation and activity plans; equipment dispatch; shipping instructions; bill of lading verification; tracking and tracing of shipments; proactive event notification; and reporting. The portal will not contain individual rates or service contract information, according to the agreement now before the Federal Maritime Commission.
   FMC action is expected within 45 days.