IMPLEMENTING RULES FOR CHINA’s MARITIME RULES READY FOR COMMENT

IMPLEMENTING RULES FOR CHINAÆS MARITIME RULES READY FOR COMMENT    China’s Ministry of Communications has published its proposed implementing rules for its new international maritime regulations and has made them available for the industry’s comments.
   The implementing rules are available on-line at:
https://www.moc.gov.cn/zhinengbm/sys/1026.htm. Comments may be submitted to China’s Ministry of Communications either by fax to 86-10-65202648 or e-mail to shipping@moc.gov by no later than July 15.
   China’s Ministry of Communications said “comments are welcomed from operators in international maritime transportation and auxiliary business thereof including shipping service companies, non-vessel-operating common carriers, international shipping agency service operators as well as any organizations and persons who are interested in Chinese maritime legislation.”
   “We’re reviewing them and intend to comment,” said Peter Gatti, vice president of international policy for the National Industrial Transportation League in Arlington, Va.
   Other industry groups with an interest in the rules, such as the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Associations, New York/New Jersey Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association, and NVO-Government Affairs Conference are expected to comment.
   Many industry officials have praised the Chinese government for its good-faith effort to develop rules in line with today’s international ocean shipping business, but concerns remain, such as confidentiality of shipping information, bonding requirements for NVOs, and treatment of non-Chinese entities.
   There is also concern about the two-week window for comments. “I believe a longer period would provide the shipping community a more meaningful opportunity to provide suggestions useful to MOC (Ministry of Communications),” said Harold J. Creel Jr., chairman of the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission.