FMC Commissioner Doyle to step down Jan. 3

Initially appointed to the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission by President Obama in 2013, Commissioner William P. Doyle says he’s proud of the work he did on U.S. West Coast dockworker labor relations, China taxation and financial safeguards for shippers.    U.S. Federal Maritime Commissioner (FMC) William P. Doyle is stepping down from the regulatory body, effective Jan. 3, Doyle said in a statement.
   Doyle, who was appointed in 2013 by President Barack Obama, informed President Donald Trump of his decision last week, according to the statement.
   Absent an immediate replacement, the move will leave the FMC with only three remaining commissioners: Chairman Michael Khouri, and commissioners Rebecca Dye and Daniel Maffei. Former Chairman Mario Cordero departed in 2017 to become executive director of the Port of Long Beach.
   According to his official biography, Doyle served for more than a decade as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine as a marine engineer aboard numerous classes of vessels and has more than 20 years of experience in the transportation industry, including both the maritime and energy sectors.
   In his statement, Doyle pointed to work he did to alleviate problems related to the West Coast port labor relations in 2014 and 2015, as well as helping convince China to move its ocean freight-related international tax system from a business tax to a value added tax (VAT) regime. He also advocated for more stringent financial safeguards for shippers in the wake of Hanjin Shipping’s collapse in mid-2016.
   “It has been an honor and a privilege to continue serving in the Trump Administration,” Doyle said. “I thank President Barack Obama for nominating and appointing me twice as a commissioner. I have learned so much in this position, and I thank you both for the opportunity to serve the Unites States of America. I am proud to have worked alongside my fellow commissioners and with such a dedicated and hardworking commission staff.”