[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 66 (Monday, April 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19146-19147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07096]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

[Fact Finding No. 29]


International Ocean Transportation Supply Chain Engagement; Order

    Pursuant to the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. 40101 et seq. 
(Shipping Act), the Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) is charged 
with regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system that 
supports the transportation of goods by water in the foreign commerce 
of the United States (``liner service''). The purposes of the Shipping 
Act include the requirements to ``provide an efficient and economic 
transportation system in the ocean commerce of the United States that 
is,

[[Page 19147]]

insofar as possible, in harmony with, and responsive to, international 
shipping practices,'' and also ``to promote the growth and development 
of United States exports through competitive and efficient ocean 
transportation and by placing a greater reliance on the marketplace.'' 
46 U.S.C. 40101.
    Maintaining the effectiveness and reliability of the global freight 
delivery system is critically important to the Nation's continued 
economic vitality. Unfortunately, congestion and bottlenecks at ports 
and other points in the Nation's supply chain have become a serious 
risk to the growth of the U.S. economy, job growth, and to our Nation's 
competitive position in the world.
    In 2016, in response to challenges created by unresolved supply 
chain issues, the Commission convened teams of industry leaders to 
develop process innovations that would enhance supply chain reliability 
and resilience. Each of the teams was composed of members 
representative of the supply chain, including public port authorities, 
marine terminal operators, beneficial cargo owners, ocean 
transportation intermediaries, liner shipping companies, drayage 
trucking companies, longshore labor representatives, rail officials and 
chassis providers. The conclusions of these meetings were summarized 
and developed into a final report issued in December 2017.
    Recent global events have only highlighted the economic urgency of 
responsive port and terminal operations to the effectiveness of the 
United States international freight delivery system. Given the 
Commission's mandate to ensure an efficient and economic transportation 
system for ocean commerce, the Commission has a clear and compelling 
responsibility to actively respond to current challenges impacting the 
global supply chain and the American economy. Accordingly, the 
Commission has determined there is a compelling need to convene new 
supply chain innovation teams to address these challenges.
    Therefore it is ordered, That, pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 41302, 40302, 
41101 to 41109, 41301 to 41309, and 40104, and 46 CFR 502.281 et seq., 
Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye engage supply chain stakeholders in public 
or non-public discussions to identify commercial solutions to certain 
unresolved supply chain issues that interfere with the smooth operation 
of the U.S. international supply chain;
    It is further ordered, That, the Commissioner form one or more 
supply chain innovation teams, composed of leaders from all commercial 
sectors of the U.S. international supply chain, to develop commercial 
solutions to port congestion and related supply chain challenges;
    It is further ordered, That, the Commissioner provide periodic 
updates to the Commission on the results of efforts undertaken by this 
Order;
    It is further ordered, That, the Commissioner have full authority 
under 46 CFR 502.281 to 502.291, to perform such duties as may be 
necessary in accordance with U.S. law and Commission regulations. The 
Commissioner will be assisted by staff members as may be assigned by 
the Chairman;
    It is further ordered, That, this Proceeding be discontinued as 
ordered by the Commission; and
    It is finally ordered, That, notice of this Order be published in 
the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Rachel Dickon,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-07096 Filed 4-3-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6730-02-P