FMC’s Regulatory Reform Task Force seeks input

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission’s notice of inquiry requesting the ocean shipping industry’s input into how it might eliminate or change outdated and burdensome regulations is now ready.    The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission’s Regulatory Reform Task Force is seeking input from the ocean shipping industry on identifying burdensome, unnecessary and outdated directives that could be changed or eliminated.
   A notice of inquiry, which will be published in this week’s Federal Register, is now available on the FMC’s website. Comments are expected to be received from ocean common carriers, marine terminal operators, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), tariff publishers, surety companies, exporters, importers, and beneficial cargo owners.
   Comments are due to the commission by no later than July 5. For more details, contact the FMC’s Office of the Secretary at secretary@fmc.gov.
   The FMC said the Regulatory Reform Task Force is consistent with the intent of President Trump’s Feb. 24 Executive Order and the “deregulatory spirit” of the 1984 Shipping Act, as amended by the 1998 Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), as well as the agency’s regulatory review initiatives ongoing since Nov. 4, 2011.
   FMC Acting Chairman Michael A. Khouri named Karen V. Gregory, managing director of the commission, as the regulatory reform officer to lead the task force, which will be composed of FMC staff.
   Meanwhile, the House proposed legislation (H.R. 2593, section 103) which would prohibit ocean carrier participation in both capacity and rate discussion agreements at the same time when potential anti-competitive concerns are raised. It would also provide the FMC with flexibility to allow simultaneous participation in such agreements when there are no competitive concerns, explained FMC spokesman John DeCrosta.
   “The commission appreciates the efforts of Congress in respect to the authorization bills being considered in both the House and Senate,” he added. “We look forward to providing any technical assistance to members and staff as may be needed or would be helpful as we work together to safeguard competition in ocean transportation for the benefit of the American consumer.”