FMC welcomes boost in president's proposed fiscal 2009 budget

U.S. Federal Maritime Commission leadership urged the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on Tuesday to favorably consider President Bush's proposed budget for the agency in fiscal year 2009.

The budget proposal provides $23.95 million to cover the commission's operating expenses in fiscal 2009, a 7.8 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

FMC Commissioner A. Paul Anderson outlined the commission's work so far in fiscal year 2008, such as:

Its recent decision regarding the lawfulness of licensed ocean transportation intermediaries using unlicensed and unbonded agents to provide non-vessel-operating common carrier and ocean freight forwarding services to the public.

Ongoing reviews of liner carrier agreement competitiveness.

The addition of area representatives throughout the country.

Its assessment of the proposed Clean Trucks Program in the Southern California ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Its continued work to develop electronic filing applications for its ocean transportation intermediary constituents.

In addition, Anderson outlined the commission's support of Customs and Border Protection's International Trade Data System and Automated Commercial Environment portal.

An updated memorandum of understanding with Customs is in process of negotiation and will solidify the cooperative relationship between the two agencies, particularly with respect to the sharing of information, he said in his written testimony to the subcommittee.

For its part, the commission expects to provide access to its extensive informational resources and databases containing background information on entities regulated by the commission -- some of the most complete databases identifying OTIs and other persons engaged in U.S. foreign commerce.

Source: American Shipper