FMC Stops the Clock on Ocean Alliance Agreement

OOCL Shipping companies from the Ocean Alliance have encountered another hurdle as the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) asked for more information before giving its approval for the process. Namely, FMCs Request for Additional Information (RFAI) stops the clock on the Ocean Alliance agreement, which was filed on July 15, until such time as the filing parties answer the questions proposed in the RFAI. Once the questions are answered and filed with the Commission, a new 45-day clock commences, FMC said, adding that the agreement would have become effective on August 29, 2016, absent Commission action. The proposed alliance, which consists of the French shipping company CMA CGM, China’s COSCO Shipping, Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) and Taiwanese Evergreen, is looking to deploy increased ocean carrier services from Asia to the US East and Gulf Coast ports starting from April 2017. The carriers earlier said that they would transition from their former alliances in or about March 2017 and, subject to regulatory approval, begin full operation by April.