American Warehousing files FMC complaint against N.Y.-N.J. ports

American Warehousing files FMC complaint against N.Y.-N.J. ports

   American Warehousing of New York has filed a complaint against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey before the Federal Maritime Commission.

   The complaint alleged that the port authority violated sections 10 (d) (3) and 10 (d) (4) of the Shipping Act of 1984 by showing 'unreasonable prejudice' against American Warehousing 'by refusing to negotiate in good faith a long-term extension or renewal' of a maritime terminal lease agreement,' the FMC said in a statement.

   American Warehousing asked the FMC to prevent the port authority from terminating its lease and 'pay reparations in an amount yet to be determined but exceeding $15 million per year.'

   The commission assigned the complaint, which was given docket number 04-09, to its Office of Administrative Law Judges. Under law, the initial decision of a presiding officer of the FMC will be made by Aug. 11, 2005, and a final decision by the commission will be issued by Dec. 9, 2005.