[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 248 (Monday, December 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 74961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31888]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

[Petition No. P10-03]


Petition of National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association 
of America, Inc. for Rulemaking; Notice of Filing

    Notice is hereby given that National Customs Brokers and Forwarders 
Association of America, Inc. (``NCBFAA'') (``Petitioner'') has 
petitioned for the issuance of a rulemaking pursuant to 46 CFR 502.51. 
The NCBFAA seeks a rulemaking that would amend the financial 
responsibility requirements of regulations set forth in 46 CFR 515.21 
et seq. The purpose of the proposed rule would be to provide a 
mechanism by which licensed non-vessel operating common carriers 
(``NVOCCs'') would be able on a voluntary basis to amend their existing 
bonds, filed pursuant to section 19 of the Shipping Act, 46 U.S.C. app. 
Sec.  1718, and 46 CFR 515.21, as an alternative to making cash 
deposits in banks located in the People's Republic of China (``PRC'') 
as otherwise required by the PRC's new Regulations on International 
Maritime Transportation (``RIMT'') and the Implementing Rules 
promulgated thereunder. The NCBFAA believes that the proposed 
rulemaking would be an appropriate way of implementing recently 
negotiated provisions of the Agreement on Maritime Transport (the 
``AMT'') and Memorandum on Consultations (``Memorandum'') between the 
U.S. and PRC governments, both of which were signed on December 8, 
2003.
    Specifically, the NCBFAA proposes that the FMC allow NVOCCs to 
amend their existing bonds by adding a Rider, which would comply with 
the RIMT requirement that all NVOCCs operating in the U.S.-PRC trades 
provide evidence of financial responsibility in the total amount of RMB 
800,000 (or approximately U.S. $96,000). NCBFAA asserts that the Rider 
is necessary because the Commission's regulations generally only 
require a bond in the amount of U.S. $75,000 (not including an 
additional $10,000 for branch offices) for licensed NVOCCs. They 
believe that the proposed regulation would therefore be in accordance 
with the Memorandum because it would authorize licensed NVOCCs to add a 
Rider to existing bonds that would (1) increase the base amount of the 
bond by U.S. $21,000 and (2) provide that the bond would also be 
available for the payment of fines or reparation awards that might be 
imposed by the Chinese authorities due to the NVOCC's violation of the 
RIMT.
    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 January 12, 2004. 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 D. 
Greenberg, Esq., Galland, Kharasch, Greenberg, Fellman & Swirsky, P.C., 
Attorneys At Law, Canal Square, 1054 Thirty-First Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20007-4492. It is also requested that a copy of the 
reply be submitted in electronic form (WordPerfect, Word or ASCII) on 
diskette or emailed to [email protected]. The Petition will be posted 
on the Commission's homepage 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 homepage at this location.
    Interested parties may also 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.
    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 email 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].

Bryant L. VanBrakle,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-31888 Filed 12-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-P