FMC CHAIRMAN URGES INDUSTRY TO ENGAGE AGENCY

FMC CHAIRMAN URGES INDUSTRY TO ENGAGE AGENCY    U.S. Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Steven R. Blust told industry executives at the WESTCONN International Trade Association meeting in Stamford, Conn., Sept. 24, to engage the agency with their issues and concerns.
   “We encourage you to utilize our Website (https://www.fmc.gov) which contains contact phone numbers and e-mail addresses, and other useful information concerning the FMC and the laws which we administer,” Blust said.
   The agency recently started a “frequently asked questions” section on its Website to help with this effort.
   Blust also said the FMC’s five field offices will host a series of seminars to help educate the public and the industry about the agency’s functions and services.
   “Our area representatives have always functioned as a kind of ‘help desk’ for the industry and we hope to formally expand this role through these seminars,” Blust said. “Topics will likely range from the assistance the commission can offer you in your day-to-day business to topics of timely interest to the industry.”
   In addition, Blust encourages the shipping industry to raise its profile with the general public.
   “It seems to me that there has never been a better time to raise the public profile of the maritime industry,” he said. “The public is newly aware of the potential vulnerability of our ports and ships to terrorist activity, which in turn should bring to the forefront the importance of the industry and international trade generally in the day-to-day lives of the American people.”