[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 237 (Monday, December 9, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 64822-64823] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-31223] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION 46 CFR Part 572 [Docket No. 94-31] Information Form and Post-Effective Reporting Requirements for Agreements Among Ocean Common Carriers Subject to the Shipping Act of 1984 AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission. ACTION: Amendment to final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Maritime Commission is amending the final rule in this proceeding so that the list of effective agreements that must be included in the Information Form for a new filed agreement is limited to those agreements which authorize specified activities that are of significant regulatory concern. The purpose of this amendment is to lessen the reporting burden on ocean carriers, while ensuring that the Commission obtains information relevant to its regulatory responsibilities. EFFECTIVE DATE: December 9, 1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Austin L. Schmitt, Director, Bureau of Economics and Agreement Analysis, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20573-0001, (202) 523-5787. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Docket No. 94-31, Information Form and Post-Effective Reporting Requirements for Agreements Among Ocean Common Carriers Subject to the Shipping Act of 1984, the Federal Maritime Commission amended its regulations set forth in 46 CFR Part 572 governing the filing, processing and review of agreements subject to the Shipping Act of 1984. 61 FR 11564 (Mar. 21, 1996). The revised Information Forms for newly filed agreements, codified as Appendices A and B to Part 572, require the submission of a list of all effective agreements covering all or part of the geographic scope of the filed agreement, whose parties include one or more of the parties to the filed agreement. In implementing the new regulations, the Commission has received inquiries regarding the scope of ``effective agreements.'' For example, it has been suggested that there is no useful purpose in including agreements that are exempt from filing because of their lack of competitive impact (see 46 CFR 572.302-311). In response to these concerns, the Commission is amending the instructions to Appendices A and B to state that the required list should include only agreements that authorize specified activities that are of significant regulatory concern. These are rate agreements (including agreements that authorize discussion of rates or ``non- binding'' rate agreements), joint service agreements, pooling agreements, agreements authorizing discussion or exchange of data on vessel-operating costs, sailing agreements, space charter agreements, agreements authorizing regulation or discussion of service contracts, and agreements authorizing capacity management or capacity regulation. This amendment will lessen the burden on agreement carriers, while ensuring that the Commission obtains information relevant to its regulatory responsibilities. Notice and opportunity for public comment were not necessary prior to issuance of this amendment because it reduces existing requirements and is less burdensome on the public. For the same reasons, the amendments are effective upon publication in the Federal Register, rather than being delayed for 30 days. 5 U.S.C. 553. [[Page 64823]] List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 572 Administrative practice and procedure, Maritime carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 and sections 4, 5, 6, 10, 15 and 17 of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app. 1703, 1704, 1705, 1709, 1714 and 1716, Part 572 of Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, is amended as follows: PART 572--AGREEMENTS BY OCEAN COMMON CARRIERS AND OTHER PERSONS SUBJECT TO THE SHIPPING ACT OF 1984 1. The authority citation for Part 572 continues to read as follows: Authority: 5 U.S.C. 553, 46 U.S.C. app. 1701-1707, 1709-1710, 1712 and 1714-1717. 2. In Appendix A to Part 572, Part II of the Instructions is revised as follows: Appendix A to Part 572--Information Form for Class A/B Agreements and Instructions * * * * * Part II Part II requires a list of all effective agreements (1) that cover all or part of the geographic scope of the filed agreement, (2) whose parties include one or more of the parties to the filed agreement, and (3) that fall within at least one of the following categories: an agreement that authorizes ``capacity management'' or ``capacity regulation'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(e); a ``joint service agreement'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(o); a ``pooling agreement'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(y); a ``rate agreement'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(bb); a ``sailing agreement'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(cc); an agreement that authorizes regulation or discussion of ``service contracts'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(dd); a ``space charter agreement'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(hh); or an agreement that authorizes discussion or exchange of data on ``vessel-operating costs'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(kk). * * * * * 3. In Appendix B to Part 572, Part II of the Instructions is revised as follows: Appendix B to Part 572--Information Form for Class C Agreements and Instructions * * * * * Part II Part II requires a list of all effective agreements that (1) cover all or part of the geographic scope of the filed agreement, (2) whose parties include one or more of the parties to the filed agreement, and (3) that fall within at least one of the following categories: an agreement that authorizes ``capacity management'' or ``capacity regulation'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(e); a ``joint service agreement'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(o); a ``pooling agreement'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(y); a ``rate agreement'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(bb); a ``sailing agreement'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(cc); an agreement that authorizes regulation or discussion of ``service contracts'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(dd); a ``space charter agreement'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(hh); or an agreement that authorizes discussion or exchange of data on ``vessel-operating costs'' as defined by 46 CFR 572.104(kk). * * * * * By the Commission. Joseph C. Polking, Secretary. [FR Doc. 96-31223 Filed 12-6-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6730-01-M