FMC budget request nearly $24 million

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is requesting an increase in funding of nearly $1.9 million to about $23.95 million in fiscal year 2009.

The agency, which has 130 full-time employees, and one part-timer, said in its Congressional budget submission that $13.9 million will be used for salaries and another $3.2 million for benefits.

In its budget submission to Congress, the FMC said as part of its program objectives for fiscal years 2008 and 2009, it plans an analysis of current uses of antitrust immunity by vessel operators and marine terminal operators in U.S. trades, and to assess the competitive impacts of European Union action repealing the block exemption for liner shipping conferences in U.S.-EU liner trades.

Another issue the FMC has been following is the proposed clean trucks program by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The agency held a closed meeting in November to consider the proposal and said it continues to monitor developments.

The FMC regulates oceanborne transportation in the foreign commerce of the United States, monitors the activities of ocean common carriers, marine terminal operators, conferences, ports and ocean transportation intermediaries. It also licenses ocean transportation intermediaries and reviews carriers' privately published tariff systems for public accessibility and accuracy.

The FMC maintains a trade-monitoring program to detect and appropriately remedy malpractices and prohibited acts under the Shipping Act, and monitors the laws and practices of foreign governments that could have adverse impact on shipping conditions in U.S. trades.

Source:American Shipper