FMC to consider NVO NRAs at meeting

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission will consider changes that would allow foreign non-vessel-operating common carriers to use Negotiated Rate Arrangements (NRAs) during a meeting on Wednesday.
   In December, the commission directed its staff “to prepare a proposed rule incorporating a foreign NVOCC registration requirement and service requirements in a draft advanced notice of proposed rulemaking.”
   The FMC said other items on the meeting’s agenda include:

• Revised timetable for retrospective review of existing rules: Priority of review of service contract and negotiated NVO Service Arrangement Rules. Docket No. 11-22.
• Docket No. 11-16 (Passenger vessel operator financial responsibility requirements for non-performance of transportation and technical revision to passenger vessel operator regulations).
• Draft advanced notice of proposed rulemaking concerning licensing, financial responsibility requirements, and general duties for ocean transportation intermediaries. – Chris Dupin