FMC chairman highlights improved shipping conditions in China

FMC chairman highlights improved shipping conditions in China    During a House budget hearing Wednesday, U.S. Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Stephen R. Blust highlighted improved shipping conditions for U.S. vessel operators and non-vessel-operating common carriers in China.
   The commission had spent considerable time during the past few years investigating Chinese laws and regulations that might discriminate against U.S. maritime operations in China. In December 2003, the U.S. and Chinese governments signed a bilateral maritime agreement that appeared to address most of the FMC’s concerns. The agreement took effect in April 2004.
   The FMC followed up by requesting comments from the industry to ensure that China was holding up its end of the maritime agreement.
   Blust told the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee that the FMC’s concerns were “adequately addressed.” The FMC ended its investigation into China’s shipping practices on April 21, 2005.
   Blust pointed out to the House subcommittee that another U.S.-flag carrier recently entered the U.S.-China trade and has opened offices in two Chinese cities. Oakland, Calif.-based Matson Navigation Co.’s first vessel in the Ningbo/Shanghai/Long Beach express service called at Ningbo on Feb. 21.
   “We will continue to monitor practices in China and elsewhere to determine whether formal action is warranted,” Blust said.
   President Bush has asked the Congress for $21.5 million to cover the FMC’s budget in fiscal 2007, up 5.9 percent from nearly $20.3 million appropriated to the agency in fiscal 2006.