Shippers seek clarity on Chinese rules

Shippers seek clarity on Chinese rules    The National Industrial Transportation League has asked the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission for assistance in obtaining additional information and clarification about new rules placed on carriers moving export cargo from China.
   The rules, implemented last August, require carriers to file tariff rates and negotiated rates with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange (SSE).
   “While the league has obtained an unofficial translation of the Chinese rules governing the SSE as well as information from one of the liner carriers subject to the exchange, several questions and concerns have been raised by this information and it is within these areas that the league has asked the commission for assistance,” wrote Peter Gatti, NIT League executive vice president, in a letter to FMC Chairman Richard Lidinsky and his fellow commissioners.

Gatti

   Among the points the NIT League is seeking additional information:
   ' Whether the SSE or China’s Ministry of Transportation is responsible for administration and enforcement of the rules or disputes arising under the new rules.
   ' How compliance with the rules, which includes a requirement for “normal and reasonable prices,” will be determined.
   ' Confirmation that negotiated, as opposed to tariff rates, will not be protected.
   ' Whether and how confidential service contracts and customer names will be protected from disclosure to other carriers and shippers.
   ' How the rules will be enforced and “whether the mere existence of the new rules and/or any actions taken by the Chinese government to enforce the rules are having an impact on the rates applied to China’s export shipping market.” ' Chris Dupin