MOL pays $1.2m fine

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) was fined $1.2m by the Federal Maritime Commission for violating several provisions of the Shipping Act, the commission unveiled Thursday. Under a concluded compromise agreement, Tokyo-based MOL has paid the civil penalties but it did not admit to violations of the act or the commission's regulations. The Washington-based independent federal agency stated that MOL's violations include mis-description of commodities, unlawful equipment substitution, and providing transportation services to and entering into service contracts with unlicensed, untariffed, and unbonded ocean transportation intermediaries. Charges also include MOL permitting the use of service contracts by persons who were not parties to those contracts, and providing transportation that was not in accordance with the rates and charges set forth in MOL's published tariffs.


The commission staff alleged that these practices persisted over many years and involved numerous service contracts. “These penalties should serve as a reminder that the commission's hard-working area representatives and bureau of enforcement remain vigilant on the shipping public's behalf,” said Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr., chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission. “If you're violating the law, sooner or later, we will find you, and the consequences can be serious.” MOL has agreed to provide ongoing co-operation with any further commission investigations or enforcement actions pertaining to the relevant activities.
(Source:http://www.seatrade-asia.com)