[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 65288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28917]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

[Petition P5-03]


Petition of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders 
Association of America, Inc. for Limited Exemption From Certain Tariff 
Requirements of the Shipping Act of 1984; Reopening of Comment Period; 
Oral Presentations

    The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, 
Inc. (``Petitioner'') has petitioned, pursuant to Section 16 of the 
Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app. 1715, and 46 CFR 502.67, for an 
exemption from the provisions of Section 8 and 10 of the Shipping Act 
of 1984, which require non-vessel ocean common carriers (``NVOCCs'') to 
establish, publish, maintain and enforce tariffs setting forth ocean 
freight rates. Alternatively, Petitioner requests that the Commission 
consider a more limited exemption and rulemaking that would allow 
NVOCCs to establish ``range rates.'' The period for the filing of 
comments in response to the petition closed on October 10, 2003.
    The Commission has determined to re-open the comment period. 
Interested persons are requested to submit views or arguments in reply 
to the petition, or in reply to comments already received, no later 
than January 16, 2004. Comments shall consist of an original and 15 
copies, and shall be directed to the Secretary, Federal Maritime 
Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20573-0001. 
It is also requested that a copy be submitted in electronic form 
(WordPerfect, Word or ASCII) on diskette, or e-mailed to 
[email protected].
    The Commission has also determined to permit interested persons to 
make oral presentations in this proceeding. At the discretion of 
individual Commissioners, interested persons may request one-on-one 
meetings at which they may make presentations describing their views on 
the petition. Any meeting or meetings shall be completed before the 
close of the comment period. A summary or transcript of each oral 
presentation will be included in the record and must be submitted to 
the Secretary of the Commission within 5 days of the meeting. Persons 
wishing to make oral presentations should contact the Office of the 
Secretary to secure contact names and numbers for individual 
Commissioners.
    The Commission has determined to waive the service requirements 
found at 46 CFR 502.114(b). Instead, copies of all filed comments, and 
copies of summaries or transcripts of oral presentations, may be viewed 
on the Commission's Web page at http://www.fmc.gov.

    By the Commission.
Bryant L. VanBrakle,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-28917 Filed 11-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-P