[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 184 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55244-55245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24186]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

[Petition No. P8-03]


Petition of BAX Global Inc. for Rulemaking; Notice of Filing

    Notice is hereby given that Bax Global Inc. (``Petitioner'') has 
petitioned for the issuance of a rulemaking pursuant to 46 CFR 502.51. 
Petitioner seeks a rulemaking to amend the Commission's regulations to 
permit Petitioner to enter into confidential service contracts as 
``ocean common carriers'' with their shipper-clients for the ocean 
transportation of cargo. Petitioner proposes the following criteria for 
determining which entities should be authorized to enter confidential 
service contracts:
    1. A substantial U.S. related transportation presence with $100 
million annual transportation related gross revenue by itself or 
affiliated companies;
    2. Publicly-held (either directly or through a parent) or is a 
third party logistics company (e.g., ocean freight

[[Page 55245]]

forwarder, NVOCC) that is related to an ocean common carrier serving 
the U.S. trades; and
    3. Holding itself out to be a multi-modal logistics maritime 
transportation provider and historically compliant with U.S. 
regulations as administered by the Federal Maritime Commission prior to 
applying to qualify for the right to offer service contracts.
    Petitioner asserts that allowing NVOCCs that meet these criteria to 
enter confidential service contracts without an individual exemption 
will set a standard that will allow the Commission to continue 
appropriate regulation and oversight of the NVOCC trade, and provide 
the Commission and the public with the confidence that only qualified 
companies are granted this privilege.
    In order for the Commission to make a thorough evaluation of the 
Petition, interested persons are requested to submit views or arguments 
in reply to the petition no later than October 10, 2003. Replies shall 
consist of an original and 15 copies, be directed to the Secretary, 
Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, 
DC 20573-0001, and be served on Petitioner's counsel Edward J. 
Sheppard, Esq., Thompson Coburn LLP, 1909 K Street, NW., Suite 600, 
Washington, DC 20006. It is also requested that a copy of the reply be 
submitted in electronic form (WordPerfect, Word or ASCII) on diskette 
or e-mailed to [email protected]. The Petition will be posted on the 
Commission's Home Page at http://www.fmc.gov/Docket%20Log/Docket%20Log%20Index.htm. All replies filed in response to the Petition 
will also be posted on the Commission's Home Page at this location.\1\ 
Copies of the Petition also may be obtained by sending a request to the 
Office of the Secretary, Room 1046, or by calling (202) 523-5725. 
Parties participating in this proceeding may elect to receive service 
of the Commission's issuances in this proceeding through e-mail in lieu 
of service by U.S. mail. A party opting for electronic service shall 
advise the Office of the Secretary in writing and provide an e-mail 
address where service can be made. Such request should be directed to 
[email protected].
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    \1\ Copies of replies to Petition Nos. P3-03, P5-03, P7-03, and 
P9-03 are also available on the Commission's homepage at the address 
listed above.

Bryant L. VanBrakle,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-24186 Filed 9-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-P