[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26978-26979]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09623]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

[Fact Finding No. 30]


COVID-19 Impact on Cruise Industry; Order

    Congress tasked the Federal Maritime Commission (Commission) with 
administering the Shipping Act of 1984 (Shipping Act), 46 U.S.C. 40101 
et seq. The Commission also administers Public Law 89-777, 46 U.S.C. 
44101 et seq., to ensure that passenger vessel operators (PVOs) satisfy 
the financial responsibility requirements related to nonperformance of 
transportation and death or injury to passengers.
    The purposes of the Shipping Act include the provision of ``an 
efficient

[[Page 26979]]

and economic transportation system in the ocean commerce of the United 
States that is, insofar as possible, in harmony with, and responsive 
to, international shipping practices.'' 46 U.S.C. 40101. Pursuant to 
the Shipping Act, the Commission regulates ocean common carriage of the 
United States. When they are engaged in transportation of passengers 
between the U.S. and a foreign country, PVOs are common carriers under 
the Shipping Act. See 46 U.S.C. 40102(7)(A).
    PVOs are also subject to the requirements of 46 U.S.C. chap. 441 
and regulations promulgated thereunder in 46 CFR part 540. The purpose 
of that statute is, among other things, ``to prevent financial loss and 
hardship to the American traveling public, who, after payment of cruise 
passage money, are stranded by the abandonment or cancellation of a 
cruise.'' Terry Marler and James Beasley dba Titanic Steamship Line, 22 
S.R.R. 359, 369 (ALJ 1983), aff'd, 22 S.R.R. 798 (FMC 1984).
    The Commission understands that the current pandemic caused by the 
novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has severely impacted the cruise industry. 
On March 14, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
issued a No Sail Order and Suspension of Further Embarkation causing 
PVOs to cease all operations. Due to the unpredictable nature of this 
disease, the CDC has extended the term of the order demonstrating the 
uncertainty associated with this pandemic. Consequently, questions 
concerning future travel and passengers' ability to obtain refunds of 
monies remitted for transportation disrupted by COVID-19 are legion.
    The cruise industry plays a unique and important role in the U.S. 
economy. Given the Commission's mandate to: (1) Ensure an efficient and 
economic transportation system for ocean commerce for both goods and 
passengers under the Shipping Act; and (2) ensure that PVOs maintain 
adequate financial responsibility to indemnify passengers for 
nonperformance and meet any liability which may be incurred for death 
or injury to passengers or other persons under 46 U.S.C. chap. 441, the 
Commission has a clear and compelling responsibility to actively 
investigate and respond to the current challenges impacting the cruise 
industry and the U.S. ports that rely on it.\1\
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    \1\ The provisions of the Shipping Act govern proceedings under 
46 U.S.C. chap. 441. See 46 U.S.C. 44106.
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    Therefore it is ordered, That, pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 40104, 41101-
41109, 41301-41309, 44104-44106 and 46 CFR 502.281 et seq., 
Commissioner Louis E. Sola engage cruise industry stakeholders, 
including PVOs, passengers, and marine terminal operators, in public or 
non-public discussions to identify commercial solutions to COVID-19-
related issues that interfere with the operation of the cruise 
industry;
    It is further ordered, That, the Commissioner form one or more 
teams, composed of leaders from the cruise industry and other 
stakeholders, to develop commercial solutions to the challenges created 
by the COVID-19 pandemic;
    It is further ordered, That the Commissioner interact with any or 
all maritime related COVID-19 task forces of which this Commission is 
affiliated or monitors for the purpose of collecting data related to 
COVID-19 and its impact on the cruise industry;
    It is further ordered, That, the Commissioner provide a preliminary 
report and 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 502.281-291 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 upon 
the acceptance of a final report and possible recommendations by the 
Commissioner, unless otherwise 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. 2020-09623 Filed 5-5-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6730-02-P