FMC REQUESTS MORE INFORMATION ON HANJIN/SINOTRANS AGREEMENT

FMC REQUESTS MORE INFORMATION ON HANJIN/SINOTRANS AGREEMENT    The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has requested more information concerning a proposed modified agreement in the transpacific trade between Hanjin Shipping and China’s Sinotrans.
   “The commission has determined that further information is necessary to evaluate the implications of the proposed modification,” said Theodore A. Zook, assistant secretary at the FMC. “This action may prevent the agreement from becoming effective as originally scheduled.'
   A short statement issued by the FMC provides no details on the reason for the additional information request.
   However, the FMC has tightened the rules concerning the definition of an ocean carrier, by requiring that companies purporting to be an ocean carrier operate at least one vessel that calls at U.S. ports. Non-vessel-operating common carriers do not receive the same benefits as ocean carriers.
   Sinotrans is a Chinese state-owned forwarding group that includes a shipping line arm.