News
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) recently has issued a proposed rule that would require foreign-based unlicensed non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) to register with the commission and expand a current tariff rate publication exemption that would allow foreign-based, unlicensed NVOCCs to enter into Negotiated Rate Arrangements (NRAs) in lieu of publishing a rate for cargo shipments in its tariff.
NRAs are written and binding arrangements between a shipper and a licensed NVOCC to provide specific transportation service for a stated cargo quantity, from origin to destination, on and after a stated date or within a defined time frame. Currently, NRAs are available only to licensed foreign-based NVOCCs.
Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. stated: ''I also am pleased that we have moved to consider extending to foreign unlicensed NVOCCs the regulatory relief provided more than two years ago to licensed NVOCCs. As we move forward, I would hope that the commission will undertake further review of its regulations governing ocean transportation intermediaries in order to make them more effective while providing further relief from unnecessary regulations.''
