Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 20:46:55 GMT Server: WebSitePro/1.1h Accept-ranges: bytes Content-type: text/html Last-modified: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 20:46:55 GMT Content-length: 3718
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Shipping Reform
SHIPPING REFORM (4/97)
As part of Republican attempts to balance the budget, efforts have been underway to eliminate the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The theory is the agency is no longer needed and what few functions are worthwhile retaining can easily be transferred to the Surface Transportation Board (STB)[the successor to the Interstate Commerce Commission]. Efforts at reform failed last year. However, those efforts have taken on new vigor in the current session of Congress. In early May, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will meet to approve the text of a reform measure. The Committee is expected to act so that its bill is considered by the full Senate before the May 23rd Congressional recess. The reform bill allows confidential contracting between shippers and individual ocean carriers, but not with groups of carriers. It requires that tariffs be made available through private services and need no longer be filed with the government. Finally, the FMC would be abolished and its surviving responsibilities transferred to the STB.
Copyright © 1997 S.K. Ross & Assoc., P.C.