The Federal Maritime Commission will accept comments on its proposed interpretative rule on detention and demurrage charges until Oct. 31, the agency said in a notice. The agency previously said comments are due Oct. 17 (see 1909130026).
The Federal Maritime Commission will look at multiple factors, including cargo accessibility and the transparency of involved terminology, when it considers whether detention or demurrage practices are reasonable, the agency said in a notice it posted ahead of publication in the Federal Register. The proposed interpretive rule is meant to help address issues with detention and demurrage charges and follows a multiyear effort on that front (see 1606130005). Comments are due Oct. 17, the FMC said in a news release.
The Federal Maritime Commission will likely publish next week a notice in the Federal Register seeking comment on an interpretive rule that is meant to help address issues with detention and demurrage charges, an FMC spokesman said. The agency announced on Sept. 6 that the FMC adopted recommendations from Commissioner Rebecca Dye, one of which includes publishing "an interpretive rule that clarifies how the Commission will assess the reasonableness of detention and demurrage practices." Interpretive rules differ from other regulations in that they don't require a notice and comment period, though the FMC has chosen to go through one, and aren't considered to have the force of law.
The Federal Maritime Commission will seek comments on a proposal to "prevent ocean carriers and marine terminals from imposing free-time (detention, demurrage, per diem) charges when the container cannot be picked up from, or returned to, the terminal through no fault of the shipper/trucker," the Agriculture Transportation Coalition said in a Sept. 6 email. The FMC didn't comment. The trade group said carriers have made such penalties "a major cost for importers and exporters and their truckers, often threatening to lock out truckers who don't immediately pay, and making shippers' protest/challenges extremely difficult."
Japan’s upcoming imperial succession will bring customs clearance to a halt, and the arrival of any cargo during the period should be avoided, according to a client alert from the Arpin International Group. The “Golden Week” will be held April 29-May 6, marking the abdication of Japanese Emperor Akihito and the accession to the throne of Crown Prince Naruhito. “Most public authorities, customs offices, harbor companies, and many general companies will be closed during this time,” Arpin said.