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FMC Proposes to Ease Rate Publishing Rules for Foreign OTIs

The Federal Maritime Commission took the next step toward allowing negotiated rate agreements for foreign ocean transport intermediaries (OTIs) at its Feb. 13 meeting. The commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would let foreign OTIs sign negotiated rate agreements instead of publishing rates, if they register with the FMC every three years and provide some additional information.

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Additional details weren't immediately available, but there will be a 60-day comment period on the NPRM, and the rules could be modified depending on the comments.

"Making our contract filing requirements less time consuming and costly would give shippers and carriers the contractual flexibility they need to meet their business goals," said Commissioner Rebecca Dye in a statement (http://bit.ly/UiRHhW). "The savings from eliminating certain unnecessary service contract filing requirements would make our international supply chain more efficient and reliable."