Federal Maritime Commission still has a job to do

I still find it rather strange the requirement for tariff and contract filing with the Federal Maritime Commission is still in place.

But, it is, and people continue to violate the rules.

At least the FMC is collecting some money to offset part of their expense.

From the Journal of Commerce

FMC Assesses $748,000 in Penalties

Hanjin Shipping paid the Federal Maritime Commission $440,000 to settle allegations that it violated the Shipping Act of 1984, the commission announced this week. Hanjin allegedly charged shippers less-than-tariff rates, and allowed access to contract rates for ocean transportation intermediaries that were not signatories.

Then there's a whole bunch of freight forwarders/OTI's/NVOCC'S they went after.

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STX Pan Ocean fined for intentional pollution

It's one thing when there is accidental pollution. That's bad enough.

But, it certainly gives the entire international shipping community a bad reputation, when a company intentionally pollutes, and lies about it.

From the Journal of Commerce

Korean company pleads guilty to dumping oily waste water off Fla.

The corporate owner of a Korean-flag bulk carrier will pay a $2.2 million fine for violating U.S. oil pollution laws, the Justice Department announced Friday.

STX Pan Ocean, which operates the M/V Ocean Jade, pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy and making false statements and records in the U.S. District Court in Tampa, Fla. They were charged with dumping oily waste and waste water overboard between July and October 2008, then falsifying log books and lying to Coast Guard inspectors.

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