CHINA SHIPPING PETITIONS FMC FOR 30-DAY WAIT WAIVER

CHINA SHIPPING PETITIONS FMC FOR 30-DAY WAIT WAIVER

China Shipping Container Lines has applied to the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission for a limited exemption from the tariff publishing requirements of Section 9 of the Shipping Act, 46 U.S.C. app. ' 1708(c).

   In a petition, China Shipping seeks an exemption from the rules so that it can lawfully reduce rates to meet or exceed the published rates of competing ocean common carriers on one day's notice. At present, as a state-owned controlled carrier, China Shipping must provide a 30-day notice period before it can reduce its tariff rates, unless the reduction is to match a competitor’s rates.

   To make a thorough evaluation of the petition, the FMC asked interested persons to submit views or arguments to the agency by May 27.

   COSCO Container Lines has already requested a partial exemption from the tariff rules.

   Under U.S. law, state controlled carriers China Shipping and COSCO are subject to stricter monitoring requirements than private-sector carriers.