FMC sets Oct. 10 comment deadline for exemption petitions

FMC sets Oct. 10 comment deadline for exemption petitions    The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has set Oct. 10 as its new deadline for the ocean shipping industry to file comments regarding a handful of petitions requesting service contract privileges for non-vessel-operating common carriers.
   Petitions were submitted to the agency by United Parcel Service, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Ocean World Lines, and BAX Global. While each petition is slightly different, these NVOs are generally asking the FMC to use its exemption authority under the 1998 Ocean Shipping Reform Act to grant NVOs the same privilege as vessel-operating liner carriers to create confidential service contracts with shippers.
   The agency will also take comments from the industry through Oct. 10 for a petition filed by the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America that requested exemption for NVOs from certain tariff publishing requirements under OSRA.
   For more information about filing comments, contact the FMC Office of the Secretary at (202) 523-5725.