Contracting, for a start: NVOs support FMC proposal but want more freedom for shipper associations.(Federal Maritime Commission)(nonvessel-operators)

Ocean forwarders say the Federal Maritime Commission's proposal for confidential contracting is fine as far as it goes, but it just doesn't go far enough.

In a wide-ranging set of comments before the FMC meets this week to discuss allowing exemptions to the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, nonvessel-operating common carriers gave the commission high marks although most of the commenters added a "but."

The proposed rule would allow only single NVOs to participate in each confidential "NVOCC service agreement" with shippers, and shippers' associations with NVO members may not enter NSAs.

Many said the ban treated shipper associations unfairly. They also argued that …