Maersk, Maher seek immunity for New Jersey on-dock rail venture

Maersk, Maher seek immunity for New Jersey on-dock rail venture    APM Terminals North America Inc., an affiliate of A.P. Moller Maersk, and New York-based terminal operator Maher Terminals Inc. have filed a joint venture agreement with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission covering a joint company responsible for operating ExpressRail Elizabeth, the on-dock rail transfer facility in Elizabeth, N.J.
   The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey recently authorized a 10-year agreement with Millennium Rail, a new joint venture between the two marine terminal operators, under which the firm will operate and maintain the rail transfer facility in Elizabeth. APM Terminals North America and Maher are the port’s two largest tenants.
   The “AMPT/Maher Cooperative Working Agreement” filed with the FMC said the two terminal operators’ Millennium venture will act as a marine terminal operator operating the on-dock rail facility in Elizabeth.
   APM Terminals North America and Maher have asked the agency for an expedited review of their proposed agreement.