FMC LEVIES $1 MILLION IN PENALTIES AGAINST CARRIERS, NVOCCS

FMC LEVIES $1 MILLION IN PENALTIES AGAINST CARRIERS, NVOCCS    The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission Thursday said it had reached compromise agreements resulting in civil penalties of $1.08 million against several ocean carriers and ocean transportation intermediaries.
   The compromise agreements resulted from investigations conducted by area representatives of the Bureau of Enforcement, located in Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle and Washington.
   Mediterranean Shipping Co., a Geneva, Switzerland-based ocean carrier, agreed to the largest payment — $500,000. The carrier allegedly charged, demanded, collected or received less compensation for transport of goods, or allowed a shipper to obtain transport at less than the rates or charges established by MSC in applicable tariffs or services contracts, through rebating or refunding a portion of the applicable rates, the FMC said.
   The other compromise agreements are:
   * Advance Ocean Inc., a Hacienda Heights, Calif.-based non-vessel-operating common carrier, $25,000.
   * Fortune Network Ltd. and Multi Express Inc., Hong Kong-based NVOCCs, $80,000.
   * The Marine Credit Alliance Agreement and its members — Alianca Navegaciao E Logistics Ltda, CMA C.M. SA., Companions Chilean de Navegacao Interoceanica S.A., Crowley Liner Services Inc., Lykes Lines Ltd. LLC, Mexican Line Ltd., Tecmarine Lines Inc., and Tropical Shipping & Construction Co. Ltd. — ocean carriers operating under a credit information agreement from January 1999 through December 2000, $50,000.
   * Mark VII Transportation Co. Inc., a Houston-based NVOCC, $60,000.
In negotiating the compromise agreements, the entities did not admit any violations of the Shipping Act of 1984.
   * OEC Freight Worldwide Ltd. And Orient Express container Co. Ltd., Teipei, Taiwan-based NVOCC, $145,000.
   * Scorpion Express Line, Miami-based ocean transportation intermediary, $20,000.
   * Transunion S.A. and Cargo Dex S.A., European forwarders based in Spain, $90,000.
   * Wallenius Lines AB, an ocean carrier based in Sweden, $110,000.
   In concluding the compromises, the companies did not admit any violation of the Shipping Act of 1984.