Compromise agreements with FMC net $242,500

Compromise agreements with FMC net $242,500 The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission said Monday it recovered $242,500 in civil penalties through seven recent compromise agreements reached with licensed and unlicensed ocean transportation intermediaries — both non-vessel-operating common carriers and ocean freight forwarders — for alleged violations of the 1984 Shipping Act.
   The FMC said NVOs M Star Logistics Corp. and Wanda Shipping Co., both of Los Angeles, paid a $60,000 civil penalty to settle various alleged violations, including failure to publish tariffs, obtain licenses, and furnish the requisite proof of financial responsibility.
   Pudong Trans USA, based in El Monte, Calif., paid a $60,000 civil penalty for allegedly obtaining ocean transportation in violation of the 1984 Act by accessing service contracts to which it was neither a signatory nor a lawful affiliate, by improperly describing the commodities shipped, and through the unlawful use of carrier provisions for equipment substitution.
   Other agreements reached included:
   ' Double Ace Cargo, Medley, Fla. — $32,500.
   ' Caribbean Freight Systems, Miami — $30,000.
   ' Curiel International Logistics, Rahway, N.J. — $20,000.
   ' Oriental Air Transport (Chicago), Bensenville, Ill. — $20,000.
   ' Sunway Logistics (USA), Alhambra, Calif. — $20,000.
   The compromise agreements resulted from investigations conducted by the FMC's area representatives located in Los Angeles, New York, South Florida and Washington. FMC staff attorneys with the Bureau of Enforcement negotiated the compromise agreements.