CARRIERS ASK FMC TO DROP FMC INVESTIGATION

CARRIERS ASK FMC TO DROP FMC INVESTIGATION

   Carriers in the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement have asked the Federal Maritime Commission to drop plans for an investigation of their rate practices last year.

   A group of small shippers and non-vessel-operating common carriers has asked the FMC to investigate whether TSA members improperly forced customers to pay extra charges during a capacity squeeze in the eastbound transpacific trade last year.

   The TSA’s attorney, Stanley O. Sher, said the petition, filed by the Coalition for Fair Play in Ocean Shipping, doesn’t identify the coalition’s members or indicate whether they have legal standing.

   Sher said the lack identification "suggests on its face that the ‘coalition" either does not exist, or that its members in face have no legitimate interest."