FESCO rejects Trans-Net’s allegations of malpractices

FESCO rejects Trans-Net’s allegations of malpractices    Following a complaint filed against it by Trans-Net, a non-vessel-operating common carrier, FESCO Ocean Management Ltd. said this is Trans-Net’s second complaint with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission about essentially the same issues.
   The NVO alleged that FESCO has violated certain provisions of the Shipping Act of 1984, as amended.
   “The first complaint (docket 03-08) was dismissed by FMC chief administrative law judge Norman Kline on May 13, 2004 and his decision became administratively final on June 15,” FESCO said in a short statement on this case.
   FESCO believes the second complaint “is equally without merit and that, like the first complaint, it will not be sustained.”
   The Russian shipping company said it would have no further comment about this matter because it is in litigation.
   In an official notice, the FMC recently said it has assigned this new case to its office of administrative law judges.
   The NVO is asking the FMC to issue an order finding FESCO to have violated the Shipping Act and the commission’s regulations, and directing the carrier to cease and desist and awarding reparations, including interest and attorney’s fees.