FMC Says Court Bars Georgia Forwarder from Operating w/o a License
On April 22, 2011, the Federal Maritime Commission announced that at its request, a federal court has barred Indigo Logistics, LLC, located in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, from violating the Shipping Act by acting as an ocean freight forwarder without a FMC-issued license or proof of financial responsibility.
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(Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr. issued the preliminary injunction order in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on April 15, 2011.)
Indigo Logistics Enjoined from Operating as OTI w/out Valid License, Bond, Etc.
The court’s order applies to the Indigo Logistics defendants, which include Indigo Logistics, LLC; its president Liliya Ivanenko; Leonid Ivanenko, who is responsible for Indigo’s day-to-day operations; as well as their agents, employees, and attorneys, and those in active concert or participation with them.
The order enjoins the Indigo Logistics defendants from acting and operating as an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI)without a valid license and bond, proof of insurance, or other surety. Violation of the injunction could lead to Defendants being held in civil contempt by the court.
FMC adds that the maximum penalty for a violation of the Shipping Act or Commission regulation is $40,000 per violation.
FMC Initiated Investigation and Asked Court to Enjoin Firm Earlier in April
On April 7, 2011, the FMC initiated an investigation based on evidence that the Indigo Logistics defendants had provided services as an ocean freight forwarder since at least 2008 without the requisite license or bond. On April 8, 2011, the FMC requested that the court enjoin the Indigo Logistics defendants from further illegal activities. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/15/11 news, 11041525, for BP summary of FMC initiating its investigation.)
Public Should Avoid Using Indigo Logistics for Ocean Freight Forwarding
FMC states that members of the public shipping vehicles or other goods overseas should avoid using Indigo Logistics, LLC, Liliya Ivanenko, or Leonid Ivanenko for ocean freight forwarding services.
To locate an ocean freight forwarder who can assist in arranging international ocean shipments, FMC suggests using the FMC’s list of licensed, bonded freight forwarders. The shipping public can also use a Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) to provide international ocean transportation for its goods.