FMC TO ADDRESS CHINA, FORWARDERS ISSUES JUNE 24
The Federal Maritime Commission will consider declaring unfavorable
conditions in the U.S./China trade at a meeting June 24.
U.S.-flag lines Sea-Land Service and American President Lines have faced
restrictions in accessing Chinese ports and have been unable to gain
approval to set up terminal and agency services there.
The FMC, which has been investigating the restrictions against ocean
carriers, will also address allegations that ocean transportation
intermediaries are barred from opening offices in China, unless they do so
under a joint venture with Chinese interests.
The FMC is also expected to rule on a petition from the National Customs
Brokers and Forwarders Association of America that would define forwarders as shippers, so
they could form shippers associations.
The petition is opposed by several ocean carriers, but has the support
of the National Industrial Transportation League.