[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 233 (Monday, December 7, 2009)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 64362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: X09-271207]


[[Page 64362]]




FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC)



Statement of Regulatory and Deregulatory Priorities
The Federal Maritime Commission's regulatory objectives are guided by 
the Agency's vision statement. The Commission's vision is to administer 
the shipping statutes as effectively as possible to provide fairness 
and efficiency in the United States foreign maritime commerce. The 
Commission's regulations are designed to implement each of the statutes 
the FMC administers in a manner consistent with this vision in a way 
that minimizes regulatory costs and fosters economic efficiencies.
The Commission has implemented its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2010 
through 2015. As a result of the strategic planning process, the 
Commission's mission statement, strategic goals and performance 
measures have been refined to better focus the FMC's efforts in 
achieving its mission and promote efficiency in the Commission's 
business processes. In working toward these objectives, the Commission 
will initiate rulemakings to address changing industry conditions or to 
implement technological advancements to minimize regulatory costs.
The Commission is in the process of reviewing its regulations to ensure 
alignment with emerging industry trends and business practices, 
particularly as they relate to ocean transportation intermediaries, 
marine terminal operators and vessel-operating common carriers. For 
administrative purposes, the FMC amended its regulations to reflect the 
codification of shipping laws in Title 46 of the United States Code and 
revised Commission rules to adjust civil monetary penalties for 
inflation. The FMC also commenced a rulemaking to assess the continued 
need for a marine terminal agreement exemption (46 CFR 535.308) in 
light of recent industry changes and existing exemptions for marine 
terminal services agreements and marine terminal facilities agreements 
under 46 CFR 535.309 and 535.310.
The Commission also oversees the financial responsibility of passenger 
vessel operators to indemnify passengers and other persons in cases of 
death or injury and to indemnify passengers for nonperformance of 
voyages. The Commission is presently evaluating the passenger vessel 
operator program, particularly with regard to passenger vessel 
financial responsibility requirements.
The principal priority of the Agency's current regulatory plan will be 
to continue to assess major existing regulations for ongoing need, 
burden on the regulated industry, and clarity. The Commission receives 
requests from segments of the shipping industry with regard to their 
tariff obligations under the Commission's regulations. The Commission 
invites comments on such requests and evaluates those comments. If the 
Commission determines to act favorably on the requests, it is possible 
that there could be specific rulemaking proposals presented for the 
Commission's consideration.
The Commission's review of existing regulations exemplifies its 
objective to regulate fairly and effectively while imposing a minimum 
burden on the regulated entities, following the principles stated by 
the President in Executive Order 12866.
Description of the Most Significant Regulatory Actions
The Commission currently has no actions under consideration that 
constitute ``significant regulatory actions'' under the definition in 
Executive Order 12866.
BILLING CODE 6730-01-S