Federal Maritime Commission to be part of Colombo International Maritime Conference

FMC USA Senior Advisor Transport Michael Gordon

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) of the United States will be part of the Colombo International Maritime Conference (CIMC) which will be held in Sri Lanka from 24 to 26 September in conjunction with World Maritime Day 2015. 

FMC will be represented by Senior Advisor Transport Michael Gordon who will address the Conference. 

Gordon joined the Federal Maritime Commission in 2011 and is currently attached to their Office of Business and Trade Analysis. In his current capacity he draws upon his 25 years of experience in the private sector, and 15 years in government service, to provide the Commission a maritime perspective on various issues and projects the Commission is working on.

The United States Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is the federal agency, based in Washington, DC, responsible for the regulation of ocean borne international transportation of the US. It is responsible for regulating the US international ocean transportation system for the benefit of US exporters, importers and the US consumer.

History

The FMC was established as an independent regulatory agency by Reorganisation Plan No. 7, effective 12 August 1961. Prior to that time, the United States Federal Maritime Board was responsible for both the regulation of ocean commerce and the promotion of the United States Merchant Marine. Under the reorganisation plan, the shipping laws of the US were separated into two categories, regulatory and promotional. The newly created FMC was charged with the administration of the regulatory provisions of the shipping laws, while the promotional role was vested in the Maritime Administration (now part of the US Department of Transportation).

Mission and Vision

The FMC’s Mission Statement is: To foster a fair, efficient and reliable international ocean transportation system and to protect the public from unfair and deceptive practices. The FMC’s Vision Statement is: Fairness and Efficiency in the US Maritime Commerce

The FMC ensures competitive and efficient ocean transportation services for the shipping public by:

• Reviewing and monitoring agreements among ocean common carriers and marine terminal operators (MTOs) serving the US foreign ocean borne trades to ensure that they do not cause substantial increases in transportation costs or decreases in transportation services
• Maintaining and reviewing confidentially filed service contracts and Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) Service Arrangements to guard against detrimental effects to shipping
• Providing a forum for exporters, importers, and other members of the shipping public to obtain relief from ocean shipping practices or disputes that impede the flow of commerce
•  Ensuring common carriers’ tariff rates and charges are published in private, automated tariff systems and electronically available
• Monitoring rates, charges, and rules of government-owned or-controlled carriers to ensure they are just and reasonable
• Taking action to address unfavourable conditions caused by foreign government or business practices in US foreign shipping trades

The FMC protects the public from financial harm, and contributes to the integrity and security of the US supply chain and transportation system by:

• Helping resolve disputes involving shipment of cargo, personal or household goods, or disputes between cruise vessel operators and passengers
•  Investigating and ruling on complaints regarding rates, charges, classifications, and practices of common carriers, MTOs, and Ocean Transportation Intermediaries (OTIs), that violate the Shipping Act
• Licensing shipping companies with appropriate character and adequate financial responsibility
• Identifying and holding regulated entities accountable for mislabelling cargo shipped to or from the United States
• Ensuring that cruise lines maintain financial responsibility to pay claims for personal injury or death, and to reimburse passengers when their cruise fails to sail

More information on the conference can be obtained from CIMC2015.com