MOL, car carrier affiliate, pay penalty

   MOL and its car carrier affiliate Nissan Motor Car Carrier Co. (NMCC) will pay a $1,275,000 penalty under a compromise agreement announced by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) on Wednesday.
   FMC said, “The compromise agreement resolved allegations that MOL and NMCC violated section 10(a) of the Shipping Act, 46 U.S.C. § 41102(b), by acting in concert with other ocean common carriers with respect to the shipment of automobiles and other motorized vehicles by ro/ro or specialized car carrier vessels, where such agreement(s) had not been filed with the commission or become effective under the Shipping Act.
   “The compromise,” it continued, “also addressed related activities and violations arising under such carrier agreements. Commission staff alleged that these practices persisted over a period of several years and involved numerous U.S. trade lanes.”
   FMC Chairman Mario Cordero noted, “This is the second public announcement in recent months of Commission enforcement action against parties who fail to file carrier agreements.”
   In December, the agency announced compromise agreements involving the car carrier operations of “K” Line and NYK Line. “K” Line paid $1.1 million in in civil penalties, and NYK Line paid $1,225,000.