• 2015 August 7 16:51

    FMC collects $1,227,500 in penalties from six companies

    Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Mario Cordero announced that the Commission has completed compromise agreements recovering a total of $1,227,500 in civil penalties. The agreements were reached with seven non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and one vessel-operating common carrier (VOCC). The agreed penalties resulted from investigations conducted by the Commission’s Area Representatives in New York and Seattle, and headquarters staff in Washington D.C. The parties settled and agreed to penalties, but did not admit to violations of the Shipping Act or the Commission’s regulations.

    The compromise agreements are as follows:

    United Arab Shipping Company (S.A.G.)

    United Arab Shipping Company, also known as UASC, is a VOCC based in Dubai, U.A.E. It was alleged that UASC violated 46 U.S.C. 41104(1) by unlawfully rebating to its NVOCC customer, Falcon Maritime and Aviation Inc., a portion of the applicable service contract rate in the form of an administrative fee not identified in the service contract, and for which no services were provided. UASC also violated 46 U.S.C. 41104(2) by providing transportation not in accordance with the rates and charges in its published tariff. Under the terms of the compromise, UASC paid $537,500 to the Commission.

    City Ocean Logistics Co., Ltd., City Ocean International, Inc., and CTC International Inc.

    City Ocean Logistics Co., Ltd. is a bonded NVOCC located in Shenzhen, China; City Ocean International is a licensed NVOCC and freight forwarder based in Diamond Bar, California; and CTC International is a licensed NVOCC and freight forwarder co-located with City Ocean International in Diamond Bar, CA. Commission staff alleged that City Ocean Logistics and City Ocean International knowingly and willfully obtained ocean transportation for property at less than the rates and charges that would otherwise be applicable by improperly utilizing rates limited to certain "named accounts" in service contracts, and through the collection of forwarder compensation on export shipments in which City Ocean Logistics acted as NVOCC. In addition, CTC International unlawfully collected forwarder compensation on shipments in which City Ocean Logistics, City Ocean International and/or CTC International had a beneficial interest. City Ocean Logistics, City Ocean International and CTC International also provided transportation in the liner trade that was not in accordance with the rates and charges set forth in their published tariffs. In addition to surrendering the ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license of CTC International, Respondents made a payment of $325,000 in compromise of these allegations.

    Oriental Logistics Group Limited

    Oriental Logistics Group is a tariffed and bonded NVOCC located in Taipei, Taiwan. Commission staff alleged that Oriental Logistics Group violated 46 U.S.C. 41102(a) by knowingly and willfully obtaining transportation at less than applicable rates by misrepresenting the names of shipper accounts under one of its service contracts, and by misdescribing cargo under such contract. Oriental Logistics Group also violated 46 U.S.C. 41104(2) by providing transportation not in accordance with the rates and charges in its published tariff. Respondent made a payment of $100,000 in compromise of these allegations.

    Hyundai Logistics (USA) Inc.

    Hyundai Logistics (USA) is a tariffed and bonded NVOCC and freight forwarder located in La Mirada, CA. Commission staff alleged that Hyundai Logistics (USA) violated 46 U.S.C. 41102(a) by knowingly and willfully obtaining transportation at less than applicable rates by means of improperly allowing third parties to access service contracts to which Hyundai Logistics (USA) was the contract signatory. Under the terms of the compromise, Respondent made a payment of $100,000.

    Falcon Maritime and Aviation Inc.

    Falcon Maritime and Aviation is a licensed NVOCC based in Jamaica, NY. It was alleged that Falcon Maritime and Aviation violated 46 U.S.C. 41102(a) by unlawfully obtaining rebates from a VOCC of a portion of the applicable service contract rate in the form of an administrative fee not identified in the service contracts of United Arab Shipping Company, and for which no services were provided. Under the terms of the compromise, Falcon Maritime and Aviation paid $85,000 to the Commission.

    Sea Gate Logistics Inc.

    Sea Gate Logistics is a licensed NVOCC and freight forwarder based in Valley Stream, NY. Commission staff alleged that Sea Gate Logistics violated 46 U.S.C. 41102(a) by knowingly and willfully obtaining transportation at less than applicable rates by means of improperly obtaining access to service contracts to which Sea Gate Logistics was not the contract signatory. Sea Gate also violated 46 U.S.C. 41104(2) by providing transportation not in accordance with the rates and charges in its published tariff. Under the terms of the compromise, Sea Gate Logistics made a payment of $80,000.

    The Federal Maritime Commission is the federal agency responsible for regulating the nation’s international ocean transportation for the benefit of exporters, importers, and the American consumer. The FMC’s mission is to foster a fair, efficient, and reliable international ocean transportation system while protecting the public from unfair and deceptive practices.


2024 March 28

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16:14 MABUX: Bunker Outlook, Week 13, 2024
15:41 AD Ports Group announced the opening of Saadiyat Marina & Ferry Terminal and Rabdan Marina
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14:13 APM Terminals Moín handled six million TEU
13:48 ClassNK grants Innovation Endorsements for Products & Solutions to two innovative initiatives by MOL
13:37 Konecranes launches its flagship Konecranes X-series industrial crane
12:53 United European Car Carriers UECC spearheads collaboration with industry leaders to advance CNSL as a sustainable marine fuel
12:26 Ocean Network Express announces Transpacific service
11:48 Yang Ming announces 2025 Trans-Pacific service network
11:24 Fincantieri signs contract for the supply of two PPAs to Indonesia
10:42 Maersk transported more than 660,000 TEU using clean fuel in 2023
10:23 Documentation delays push industry costs to $3bn
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2024 March 27

18:22 Bureau Veritas awards world’s first prototype certification for SolarDuck’s floating offshore solar solution
17:58 The recently converted Allseas's shallow water pipelay barge starts preparations for its first commercial project
17:38 The Port of Rotterdam calls on the European Commission and Parliament to focus on actively promoting green energy
15:23 SEFE to become sole shareholder of WIGA
14:53 Ocean Installer secures yet another SLM contract with Equinor
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13:42 Carnival Cruise Line orders 5th Excel-class cruise ship
13:11 Maersk and MSC overcharging cargo owners for EU ETS, says T&E
12:52 The Port Authority of Valencia launches the ZAL project in the Port of Valencia
12:11 Clarkson Port Services and Peak Group collaborate to deliver Port Agency services across the North Sea
11:42 Wan Hai Lines holds ship naming ceremony for new vessels
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10:49 Seaspan Shipyards receives long-term contracts for the pre-construction work of the the Canadian Coast Guard's first six multi-mission vessels
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2024 March 26

18:02 COSCO Shipping Lines introduces new Americas service
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16:57 Terntank places an order for 1+1 additional wind/ methanol-ready hybrid tanker
16:28 BW LNG completes acquisition of two TFDE vessels from Stena Bulk
15:50 Hanwha Ocean develops VR-based special vehicle simulator
15:20 TotalEnergies and SINOPEC join forces to produce sustainable jet fuel at a SINOPEC's refinery
14:52 Wärtsilä Lifecycle Agreement to guarantee operational reliability of new wind farm installation vessel
14:23 Hudong-Zhonghua launches two LNG carriers
13:51 Cargo ship hits Baltimore’s Key Bridge
13:12 Final sanctioned tanker with Russian Sokol oil to reach China port - Reuters
12:42 Adani Ports acquires 95% of Odisha's Gopalpur Port from SP Group for $162 million
12:21 IHI and Yara Clean Ammonia agree to jointly assess clean ammonia business collaboration
11:41 Yara Clean Ammonia and Azane granted safety permit to build world's first low emission ammonia bunkering terminal
11:16 Wartsila and Royal Caribbean Group celebrate 15 years of collaboration on digital transformation
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2024 March 25

18:07 The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore continues to investigate reports of oil spills off the port of Tuas
17:31 “K” Line, NIPPON HAKUYO and OPT Gate sign an agreement for a new fire detection system for car carriers
17:07 Greek merchant fleet recorded slight decline in January 2024
16:47 Hanwha Ocean Plans to develop green technology and naval ships
16:25 U-Ming Singapore and ITOCHU sign milestone MoU for the joint development of ammonia dual-fuel and de-carbonized vessels
15:34 Svitzer targets methanol-fuelled MAN 175DF-M engine for tug application
15:04 Wallenius Wilhelmsen signs contracts for four 9,300 CEU vessels with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard
14:40 Taiwan International Port to upgrade terminal facility at Kaohsiung
13:59 Сruise ship Carnival Freedom catches fire near Bahamas
12:59 Hanwha Ocean wins 2.4 tln-won order for 8 LNG ships
11:16 Inland Ports meet in Paris to talk about the innovation potential of inland ports
10:50 IMO agrees possible outline for maritime “net-zero framework”
10:24 Hapag-Lloyd to continue to avoid the Red Sea route
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2024 March 24

16:18 Inchgreen Marine Park upgraded as part of £11m investment
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13:07 First LNG powered vessel calls at HIP
12:49 Inter-array cable installation completed at Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm
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09:25 Edda Wind announces the sale of Edda Passat

2024 March 23

17:19 Maersk opens new warehouse facility in Tijuana, Mexico for cross-border capabilities
14:01 Bollinger Shipyard marks keel laying ceremony for 10th Navajo-class T-ATS