[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18761-18762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7999]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

[Docket No. 11-04]


 Worldwide Logistics Co., Ltd.; Possible Violations of Sections 
10(a)(1) and 10(b)(2) of the Shipping Act of 1984; Order of 
Investigation and Hearing

    Worldwide Logistics Co., Ltd. (Worldwide) is a company based in the 
People's Republic of China, providing service as a non-vessel-operating 
common carrier (NVOCC). Worldwide registered with the FMC as a foreign-
based NVOCC in September 2004. Worldwide's reported address is 14F-16F 
Junjiang International Tower, No. 228 Ning Guo Road, Yangpu District, 
Shanghai, PRC 200090. It is a part of the Worldwide Logistics Group, 
said to be one of the leading integrated logistics service providers in 
China.\1\
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    \1\ http://www.worldwide-logistics.cn/en/ourservice.aspx?id=8.
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    Worldwide currently holds itself out as an NVOCC pursuant to its 
automated tariff No. 019194-001. Its tariff is maintained by 
Distribution Publications, Inc., and is published electronically at 
https://www.dpiusa.com. Worldwide currently maintains an NVOCC bond 
with Navigators Insurance Company, 6 International Drive, Rye Brook, NY 
10573.
    It appears that Worldwide originated and substantially participated 
in an ongoing practice of misdescribing cargo to the transporting ocean 
common carrier since at least April 2008. With respect to those 
shipments apparently misdescribed, Worldwide was identified as the 
shipper signatory to various service contracts with ocean common 
carriers \2\ and as the person for whose account the transportation was 
being provided. Contemporaneous documentation such as the commercial 
invoice or the NVOCC house bill of lading reflect that shipments 
declared to the vessel operator as ``fabric'' or ``cotton fabric'' 
actually were loaded with garments or with other miscellaneous finished 
textile goods. Due to the difference between the rate Worldwide paid to 
ship the misdescribed goods and the rate at which the cargo should have 
moved under the various service contracts used by Worldwide, it appears 
that Worldwide obtained lower than applicable rates for these 
shipments, in violation of section 10(a)(1) of the Shipping Act.
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    \2\ As relevant herein, these contracts include, but are not 
limited to: Evergreen S/C  SC325398,  SC34303, and 
 SC37000; Hanjin S/C  AEF24208; K Line S/C 
 41033; Maersk S/C  275214; NYK S/C  
SC0109828,  SC0114261, and  SC0114580; and OOCL S/
C  PE084981.
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    It also appears that for these same shipments, Worldwide acted as a 
common carrier in relation to its NVOCC customers and issued its own 
NVOCC bill of lading. Worldwide has maintained an electronic tariff 
since September 17, 2004. However, as indicated by Worldwide's debit 
notes, the rate assessed by Worldwide to its NVOCC customers appears to 
differ substantially from its published rates. Accordingly, it appears 
that Worldwide provided service that was not in accordance with its 
published tariff, in violation of 10(b)(2) of the Shipping Act.
    Now therefore, it is ordered, That pursuant to sections 10, 11, and 
13 of the Shipping Act, 46 U.S.C. 41102, 41104, and 41107-41109, an 
investigation is instituted to determine:
    (1) whether Worldwide Logistics Co., Ltd. violated section 10(a)(1) 
of the Shipping Act by obtaining transportation at less than the rates 
and charges otherwise applicable by an unjust or unfair device or 
means;
    (2) whether Worldwide Logistics Co., Ltd. violated section 10(b)(2) 
of the Shipping Act by providing service other than at the rates, 
charges, and classifications set forth in its published NVOCC tariff or 
applicable NSA;
    (3) whether, in the event violations of sections 10(a)(1) or 
10(b)(2) of the Shipping Act are found, civil penalties should be 
assessed against Worldwide Logistics Co., Ltd. and, if so, the amount 
of penalties to be assessed;
    (4) whether, in the event violations of sections 10(a)(1) or 
10(b)(2) of the Shipping Act are found, the tariff(s) of Worldwide 
Logistics Co., Ltd. should be suspended; and
    (5) whether, in the event violations are found, an appropriate 
cease and desist order should be issued.
    It is further ordered, That a public hearing be held in this 
proceeding and that this matter be assigned for hearing before an 
Administrative Law Judge of the Commission's Office of Administrative 
Law Judges at a date and place to be hereafter determined by the 
Administrative Law Judge in compliance with Rule 61 of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure, 46 CFR 502.61. The hearing shall 
include oral testimony and cross-examination in the discretion of the 
presiding Administrative Law Judge only after consideration has been 
given by the parties and the presiding Administrative Law Judge to the 
use of alternative forms of dispute resolution, and upon a proper 
showing that there are genuine issues of material fact that cannot be 
resolved on the basis of sworn

[[Page 18762]]

statements, affidavits, depositions, or other documents or that the 
nature of the matters in issue is such that an oral hearing and cross-
examination are necessary for the development of an adequate record;
    It is further ordered, That Worldwide Logistics Co., Ltd. is 
designated Respondent in this proceeding;
    It is further ordered, That the Commission's Bureau of Enforcement 
is designated a party to this proceeding;
    It is further ordered, That notice of this Order be published in 
the Federal Register, and a copy be served on parties of record;
    It is further ordered, That other persons having an interest in 
participating in this proceeding may file petitions for leave to 
intervene in accordance with Rule 72 of the Commission's Rules of 
Practice and Procedure, 46 CFR 502.72;
    It is further ordered, That all further notices, orders, and/or 
decisions issued by or on behalf of the Commission in this proceeding, 
including notice of the time and place of hearing or prehearing 
conference, shall be served on parties of record;
    It is further ordered, That all documents submitted by any party of 
record in this proceeding shall be directed to the Secretary, Federal 
Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, in accordance with Rule 2 of 
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, 46 CFR 502.2 
(formerly Sec.  502.118), and shall be served on parties of record; and
    It is further ordered, That in accordance with Rule 61 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, the initial decision of 
the Administrative Law Judge shall be issued by March 29, 2012 and the 
final decision of the Commission shall be issued by July 27, 2012.

    By the Commission.
Karen V. Gregory,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-7999 Filed 4-4-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-P