Surcharge decision angers shippers. (Federal Maritime Commission ends investigations on carrier surcharges)

They say FMC inaction could figure in shipping Act debate. Sayre still hopes

Shippers are upset by the Federal Maritime Commission's decision to end its investigation into carrier surcharges.

Some say the FMC decision could mobilize shippers into pressing harder for changes in the 1984 Shipping Act - possibly by seeking elimination of ocean conferences, tariff filing or even the FMC itself.

But Clifford M. Sayre, vice president of materials, logistics and services at E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., said the issue shouldn't be allowed to damage shipper-carrier relations.

"We do not support the elimination of antitrust immunity for ocean carriers and we are working for a compromise on the Shipping Act," he said.

Sayre's proposed compromise would retain antitrust immunity for carriers but allow shippers to negotiate confidential service contracts directly with carriers. (November American Shipper, page 18).

|Bitterly Disappointed.' Jilian M. Morley, president …