[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14713-14714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7860]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION


Notice of Request for Public Comments Regarding Extensions to 
Existing OMB Clearances

AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The FMC is preparing submissions to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for continued approval of the following information 
collections (extensions with no changes) under the provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35): OMB 
No. 3072-0012 (Licensing of Ocean Freight Forwarders and Form FMC-18); 
OMB No. 3072-0028 (Foreign Commerce Anti-Rebating Certification); and 
OMB No. 3072-0053 (Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers Surety Bonds). 
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or 
included in the request for OMB approval and will become a matter of 
public record.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Edward P. Walsh, Managing Director, 
Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North

[[Page 14714]]

Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20573, (Telephone: (202) 523-5800).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Send requests for copies of the 
current OMB clearances to: George D. Bowers, Director, Office of 
Information Resources Management, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20573 (Telephone: (202) 523-
5834).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Ocean Freight Forwarder Licensing--OMB 
approval number 3072-0012 expires August 31, 1998.
    Abstract: Section 19 of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app. 
Sec. 1718, requires that no person shall act as a freight forwarder 
unless they hold a license by the Federal Maritime Commission. The Act 
requires the Commission to issue a license to any person that it 
determines to be qualified by experience and character to act as an 
ocean freight forwarder if that person has provided a surety bond 
issued by a surety company found acceptable by the Secretary of the 
Treasury. The Commission has implemented the provisions of Section 19 
in regulations contained in 46 CFR Part 510 and its related application 
form, FMC-18.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission uses information obtained from Form 
FMC-18 as well as information contained in the Commission's files and 
letters of reference to determine whether an applicant meets the 
requirements for a license. If the collection of information were not 
conducted, there would be no basis upon which the Commission could 
determine if applicants are qualified for licensing.
    Frequency: This information is collected as applicants apply for a 
license or when certain information changes in existing licenses.
    Type of Respondents: Persons desiring to act as freight forwarders.
    Number of annual respondents: The Commission estimates an annual 
respondent universe of 2,007 licensed freight forwarders. The 
Commission estimates that the rule will impose, in varying degrees, a 
reporting burden on the entire respondent universe.
    Estimated time per response: The completion time for the Form FMC-
18 is estimated to be 2 person hours on average with the range being .5 
hours to 4 hours. It is estimated that 694 person hours will be 
expended by respondents to complete Form FMC-18.
    Total Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the total annual 
burden to be 2,018 person hours, as follows: 822 hours to comply with 
the regulation provisions; 502 hours for recordkeeping requirements; 
and 694 hours to complete the Form FMC-18.
    Foreign Commerce Anti-rebating Certification--OMB approval number 
3072-0028 expires August 31, 1998.
    Abstract: Section 15(b) of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app. 
Sec. 1714(b), requires the chief executive officer of each common 
carrier and certain other persons to file with the Commission a 
periodic written certification that anti-rebating policies have been 
implemented and that full cooperation will be given to any Commission 
investigation of illegal rebating activity. The Commission has 
implemented the provisions of section 15(b) in regulations contained in 
46 CFR 582.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission uses the information filed by these 
parties to maintain continuous surveillance over the activities of 
these entities and to provide an effective deterrent against rebating 
practices.
    Frequency: This information is collected with the filing of a 
carrier's initial tariff and the applicant's licensed ocean freight 
forwarder application. On each subsequent even-numbered calendar year, 
certifications are required to be filed.
    Type of Respondents: Respondents may include the chief executive 
officer of each common carrier and ocean freight forwarder, shipper, 
shipper's association, marine terminal operator or broker.
    Number of Annual Respondents: The Commission estimates a total of 
approximately 4,857 respondents as follows: 2,450 Non-vessel Operating 
Common Carriers, 400 Vessel Operating Common Carriers and 2,007 ocean 
freight forwarders.
    Estimated Time Per Response: The Commission estimates approximately 
.5 person hours per response.
    Total Annual Burden: Total annual burden is estimated at 2,429 
person hours. NVOCC Surety Bonds--OMB approval number 3072-0053 expires 
September 30, 1988.
    Abstract: Section 23(a) of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app. 
Sec. 1721(a), requires each non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) 
to furnish the Commission with an acceptable bond, proof of insurance 
or other surety, which is to be available to pay for damages arising 
from transportation-related activities, reparations or penalties. The 
Commission has implemented the provisions of section 23(a) in 
regulations contained in 45 CFR 583.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission uses the information to maintain 
continuous surveillance over NVOCCs and to enable the Commission to 
discharge its duties under the Act. Upon request, the Commission 
provides information to the public regarding a carrier's evidence of 
financial responsibility.
    Frequency: Documents are filed annually.
    Type of Respondents: Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers.
    Number of annual respondents: The Commission estimates that 
approximately 2,450 NVOCCs will file these documents.
    Estimated Time per response: The Commission estimates one person 
hour per response for each filing.
    Total Annual Burden: Total annual manhour burden is estimated at 
2,450 hours.
    Before the Commission submits these renewal packages to the Office 
of Management and Budget, the Commission is inviting public, written 
comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collections of information are 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the Commission's burden estimates for the proposed 
collections of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collections of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.

    Dated: March 20, 1998.
Joseph C. Polking,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-7860 Filed 3-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-M