FMC DROPS SANCTIONS AGAINST JAPANESE LINES

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has dropped sanctions against
Japan’s three major containership lines.
   The commission will require Japanese-flag carriers and U.S. lines APL
and Sea-Land Service to file biannual reports spelling out activities
related to reforming Japan’s port practices and regulations.
   While progress to win major port reforms has been slow, the FMC said
changing economic conditions and the Japanese government’s active role in
promoting port reforms have rendered the sanctions outdated.
   U.S.-flag lines had complained for years that Japanese port rules
allegedly discriminated against non-Japanese carriers, particularly a
"prior consultation" requirement which forced carrier to negotiate every
operational change they wanted to make.