Regulators threaten TSA/WTSA over late delivery of meeting transcripts

QUASI shipping conferences, the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (TSA) and the Westbound Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (WTSA) were threatened with punitive measures by the regulatory US Federal Maritime Administration (FMC) for failing to provide timely transcripts of their multi-carrier meetings.


The FMC threatened "formal action" should there be more late filings of transcripts, a source close to the proceedings told London's Containerisation International, which added that it could take the form of a fine or a ban on collaborative activity.


Said TSA/WTSA spokesman Niels Erich: "TSA and WTSA remain committed to complying fully in providing meeting transcripts and resolving any outstanding technical issues. Beyond that we do not believe it would be appropriate to comment."


FMC lawyer Rebecca Fenneman said that out of 62 transcripts filed by the WTSA since the FMC's September order demanding them, 23 were late and seven more than a week late.


The FMC threat over the transcripts follows a fact finding investigation headed up by FMC Commissioner Rebecca Dye after shippers alleged carriers were pushing up rates by withholding capacity and equipment. More recently, EU antitrust inspectors have raided 12 ocean carrier offices in Europe.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)