Ocean Common Carrier and Marine Terminal Operator Agreements Subject to the Shipping Act of 1984

The Federal Maritime Commission proposes to amend its regulations governing agreements among ocean common carriers and marine terminal operators to reflect changes made to the Shipping Act of 1984 by the recently enacted Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105- 258. In accordance with that Act, the Commission is proposing to establish new rules for ocean carrier agreements regarding carriers' service contracts with shippers, amend the scope of marine terminal agreements subject to the Act, establish rules for agreements on freight forwarder compensation, reduce the mandatory notice period for carriers' independent action on tariff rates, and make other conforming changes. The Commission is also proposing to delete much of its format requirements for filed agreements, clarify the definition of ``ocean common carrier'', and make other technical amendments to the filing rules for clarity and administrative efficiency.