FMC probes Deans International Shipping for illegal NVO activity
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has started an investigation into Laurelton, N.Y.-based Deans International Shipping Co. for operating a non-vessel-operating common carrier service without a license and bond on file with the agency.
Since October 2000, the company, owned and operated by Sharon Stephenson Deans, has provided NVO services from the United States to the Caribbean. The company openly advertised these services in newspapers and issued its own NVO house bill of lading to shippers, the FMC said.
The case has been assigned to a FMC administrative law judge. The judge’s initial decision is due by Oct. 7, 2004, and the final decision shall be issued by Feb. 4, 2005.