FMC COMPLETES INTERNAL REPORT ON PACIFIC CARRIERS’ PRACTICES

FMC COMPLETES INTERNAL REPORT ON PACIFIC CARRIERS’ PRACTICES    Joseph Brennan, commissioner at the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, presented on Friday (April 11) to fellow commissioners his report on service contract practices of Transpacific Stabilization Agreement carriers during the 2002-03 season.
   The fact-finding investigation No. 25, led by Brennan, tried to establish whether ocean carriers have discriminated against non-vessel-operating common carriers operating in the transpacific trade during the 2002-03 contract season, as alleged by associations representing intermediaries.
   The FMC said on Friday that it could not disclose the facts and recommendations of the report, and that the report is confidential. However, a shorter version of the report will probably be published in a few weeks, or an announcement on the report will be made.
   The agency’s commissioners are expected to meet to discuss the report, but no date has been set for the meeting.
   The probe followed a petition filed by the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America and the International Association of NVOCCs last May. The petition filed by NVOs alleged that ocean carriers’ service contract practices showed a bias against NVOs and favored proprietary shippers.
   The investigation took eight months since Brennan’s appointment as the investigative officer for the fact-finding proceeding last August.