FMC RAISES SMALL COMPLAINT LIMIT TO $50,000

FMC RAISES SMALL COMPLAINT LIMIT TO $50,000    As part of a proposal to update and expand its alternative dispute    resolution (ADR) program, the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has raised the cap on small complaint cases to $50,000, from $10,000.
      The FMC also issued a number of changes to its rules that emphasize requiring ADR consideration at early stages of proceedings.
   The new rules would require use of the ADR procedure at the early stage of all proceedings in a manner directed by an FMC administrative law judge.
   All complaints would be required to address the use of ADR when filing them before the FMC.
   The FMC noted the availability of its Office of Consumer Complaints. The office has been used extensively this past year due to the failure of a number of non-vessel-operating common carriers, the FMC said.
   Also the shipping public experienced a number of problems with unlicensed and non-bonded NVOs, the FMC said.
      During the most recent fiscal year, the FMC’s Office of Consumer Complaints has responded to more than 2,900 inquiries and complaints, and the efforts of the office yielded more than $193,000 in recoveries, the FMC said.
   Comments on ways to improve the ADR process should be sent to FMC Secretary Bryant VanBrakle, FMC, 800 North Capitol St., N.W., Room 1046, Washington, D.C. 20573-0001, e-mail address is: secretary@fmc.gov