FMC settles with five companies

FMC settles with five companies    The Federal Maritime Commission said it has reached compromise agreements with five non-vessel-operating common carriers that have agreed to pay $297,500 in civil penalties for alleged violations of the Shipping Act.
   The parties settled and agreed to penalties, but did not admit to violations of the act or FMC regulations. The settlements involve:
   ' Allied Transport Systems (USA) Inc., doing business as Centurion Logistics Management, a licensed NVO based in City of Industry Calif.; and Centurion Logistics Services Ltd., an unlicensed, bonded NVO located in Hong Kong. The FMC alleged the companies obtained ocean transportation at less than applicable rates and charges by unlawfully accessing service contracts to which they were not a signatory, by misdescribing the commodities shipped, and by abusing rules and practices relating to equipment substitution. Under terms of the compromise, the Centurion companies paid penalties of $150,000.
   ' Atlantic Express Corp., a licensed NVO based in Bridgeview, Ill., allegedly accepted shipments of cargo from unlicensed and unbonded ocean transportation intermediaries. Atlantic Express also allegedly violated the Shipping Act by failing to charge the rates in its published NVO tariff. Atlantic Express paid $70,000.
   ' Prime Shipping International, doing business as Prime Agency, a licensed NVO located in City of Industry, Calif., allegedly obtained ocean transportation for property at less than applicable rates and charges by unlawfully accessing service contracts to which it was not a signatory, and by misdescribing commodities shipped. Prime Agency also allegedly violated the Shipping Act by failing to charge the rates in its published NVO tariff. Prime Agency paid penalties of $45,000.
   ' Speedy International LLC. a licensed NVOCC located in South San Francisco, allegedly obtained ocean transportation for property at less than the rates and charges that would otherwise be applicable by unlawfully accessing service contracts to which it was not a signatory, and by misdescribing the commodities shipped. It was also alleged that Speedy violated the Shipping Act by failing to charge the rates in its published NVOCC tariff. Speedy International made a payment of $32,500 in compromise of these allegations.