Notice2024-07977
Request for Information
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 16, 2024
Issuing agencies
Federal Maritime Commission
Abstract
The Federal Maritime Commission (the Commission) seeks public comment on questions related to maritime data accuracy to continue the process of gathering information to inform possible future Commission activities with a focus on information related to containers moving through marine terminals. In particular, the Commission seeks responses on what data elements are communicated between transportation service providers and importers/exporters. The Commission also seeks information on how changes to information are conveyed and where communication is most likely to break down or information is most likely to be conveyed inaccurately.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 74 (Tuesday, April 16, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26881-26883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07977]
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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
[Docket No. FMC-2023-0016]
Request for Information
AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Maritime Commission (the Commission) seeks public
comment on questions related to maritime data accuracy to continue the
process of gathering information to inform possible future Commission
activities with a focus on information related to containers moving
through marine terminals. In particular, the Commission seeks responses
on what data elements are communicated between transportation service
providers and importers/exporters. The Commission also seeks
information on how changes to information are conveyed and where
communication is most likely to break down or information is most
likely to be conveyed inaccurately.
DATES: Submit comments on or before 11:59 p.m. eastern standard time
(EST) on June 17, 2024.
ADDRESSES: The Commission will collect comments through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, under Docket No.
[[Page 26882]]
FMC-2023-0016. Please refer to the ``Public Participation'' heading
under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for detailed
instructions on how to submit comments, including instructions on how
to request confidential treatment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Eng, Secretary; Phone: (202)
523-5725; Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9eedfbfdecfbeaffece7def8f3fdb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="deadbbbdacbbaabfaca79eb8b3bdf0b9b1a8">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Containerized cargo in international trade moves between the
control of numerous entities. While some key data elements are readily
shared between supply chain participants, the lack of timely and
accurate access to some data elements can lead to inefficiencies, as
was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the lack of data
standardization reduces the ability to move cargo in an effective way.
Improved communication and data availability could ease the flow of
data and potentially provide positive results including fewer and
shorter duration instances of congestion; quicker movement of import
and export shipments; assessment of fewer storage fees; and a reduction
in non-government cargo holds thereby improving supply chain
effectiveness and efficiency.
II. Request for Information/Notice of Inquiry
The Maritime Transportation Data Initiative (MTDI), led by
Commissioner Carl Bentzel, examined the issue of data usage and sharing
within the supply chain served by international ocean carriers.
Commissioner Bentzel released a report in May 2023 summarizing the
information he gathered and his initial findings.\1\
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\1\ Available at <a href="http://www.fmc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/MTDIReportandViews.pdf">www.fmc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/MTDIReportandViews.pdf</a>.
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The Commission now seeks additional information to expand the
information gathered from the MTDI and the Commission's August 23,
2023, Request for Information (88 FR 55697) related to data
availability, accuracy, and exchange. This Request places particular
emphasis on data accuracy.
A common theme revealed by the MTDI was that information on
container pick up/return was difficult to gather accurately or predict.
MTDI participants cited challenges such as determining who should
provide the information, information changing frequently, and changes
not being conveyed to shipping entities. These points have been
reiterated to the Commission via numerous avenues, including by the
National Shipper Advisory Committee.\2\ The Commission created the
prior Request for Information to understand some of the data challenges
that entities throughout the supply chain face.\3\ The purpose of this
Request for Information is to continue the process of gathering
information to inform possible future Commission activities with a
focus on information related to containers moving through marine
terminals. The purpose of these questions is to seek information about
data accuracy, not information about specific customers/partners and
commenters should not name specific customers/partners when responding.
The Commission has segmented the questions into categories specific to
certain stakeholders, but it is also interested in hearing from the
public, who may respond to all of the questions.
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\2\ See <a href="http://www.fmc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Consistencyandalignmentofdata.pdf">www.fmc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Consistencyandalignmentofdata.pdf</a>, <a href="http://www.fmc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Draft-NSAC-ContainerLevelDataAlignment.pdf">www.fmc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Draft-NSAC-ContainerLevelDataAlignment.pdf</a>, <a href="http://www.fmc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Draft-NSACIntermodalDataAlignment.pdf">www.fmc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Draft-NSACIntermodalDataAlignment.pdf</a>,
<a href="http://www.fmc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DRAFT-NSAC-ShipmentLevelDataAlignment.pdf">www.fmc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DRAFT-NSAC-ShipmentLevelDataAlignment.pdf</a> for National Shipper Advisory
Committee recommendations.
\3\ Previous Request for Information is posted in the docket at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov/document/FMC-2023-0016-0001">www.regulations.gov/document/FMC-2023-0016-0001</a>.
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Vessel Operators and Marine Terminal Operators
1. How do you communicate the vessel schedule and any changes
regarding the vessel schedule to the beneficial cargo owners (BCO) and/
or their agents? Please include the communication method and the
timeline.
2. What share of vessels change their schedule within the last week
prior to arrival at a scheduled port? What are the most common reasons
for a vessel schedule to change?
3. What are the primary reasons for changes to the vessel schedule?
What indicators can BCOs use to predict changes to vessel schedule?
4. How do you communicate the Early Return Date (ERD), and any
changes to it, to BCOs and/or their agents? Please include the
communication method and the timeline.
5. What are the primary reasons for changes to ERD? What indicators
can BCOs use to predict changes to ERD?
6. What share of ERDs change within a week prior to the window?
What are the most common reasons for an ERD to change in the last week?
7. How do you access information related to the availability of
intermodal rail services? Please include the communication method and
the timeline.
8. How do you access information related to the in-transit services
of intermodal rail? Please include the communication method and the
timeline.
9. Are there any metrics or pieces of information that are not
clearly defined or missing entirely from the maritime supply chain? If
so, please list and define.
Importers
10. What were the primary causes of penalty fees for missing a
container pick up window?
11. What pick up information (such as vessel schedule or container
availability) is most likely to change or be conveyed differently by
different supply chain entities?
12. Who do you rely upon to obtain information pertaining to
container pick up and any changes to it? Please include all entities
that provide information, the communication method, and the timeline of
when you receive the information.
13. How do you find out that a vessel schedule has changed?
14. How many days prior to the vessel arrival do you need the date
to be finalized? Please indicate the conditions which affect the number
of days you need.
15. How often do you attempt to pick up a container that you
believe to be available, but it is not available? What are the most
common reasons for this occurrence?
16. How frequently do you attempt to retrieve a container, but
necessary equipment (such as chassis or rail service) is not available?
What are the most common reasons for this occurrence?
17. Are there any metrics or pieces of information that are not
clearly defined or missing entirely from the maritime supply chain? If
so, please list and define.
Exporters
18. What were the primary causes of penalty fees for missing a
container return window?
19. What container return information (such as vessel schedule or
ERD) is most likely to change or be conveyed differently by different
shipping entities?
20. Who do you rely upon to obtain information pertaining to
container return and any changes to that information. Please include
all entities that provide information, the communication method, and
the timeline of when you receive the information.
21. How do you learn that a vessel schedule has changed?
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22. How many days prior to the container return window do you need
the ERD date to be finalized? Please indicate the conditions which
affect the number of days you need.
23. How often do you attempt to export a container within what you
believe to be the return window, and you end up being too early or too
late? What are the most common reasons for this occurrence?
24. How frequently do you attempt to export a container, but
necessary equipment (such as chassis or rail service) is not available?
What are the most common reasons for this occurrence?
25. Are there any metrics or pieces of information that are not
clearly defined or missing entirely from the maritime supply chain? If
so, please list and define.
III. Public Participation
How do I prepare and submit comments?
You may submit comments by using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, under Docket No. FMC-2023-0016. Please follow the
instructions provided on the Federal eRulemaking Portal to submit
comments.
How do I submit confidential business information?
The Commission will provide confidential treatment for identified
confidential information to the extent allowed by law. If you would
like to request confidential treatment, pursuant to 46 CFR 502.5, you
must submit the following, by email, to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8dfee8eeffe8f9ecfff4cdebe0eea3eae2fb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f281979180978693808bb2949f91dc959d84">[email protected]</span></a>:
<bullet> A transmittal letter requesting confidential treatment
that identifies the specific information in the comments for which
protection is sought and demonstrates that the information is a trade
secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial
information.
<bullet> A confidential copy of your comments, consisting of the
complete filing with a cover page marked ``Confidential-Restricted,''
and the confidential material clearly marked on each page.
<bullet> A public version of your comments with the confidential
information excluded. The public version must state ``Public Version--
confidential materials excluded'' on the cover page and on each
affected page and must clearly indicate any information withheld.
Will the Commission consider late comments?
The Commission will consider all comments received before the
deadline on the comment closing date indicated above under DATES. To
the extent possible, we may also consider comments received after that
date.
How can I read comments submitted by other people?
You may read the comments received by the Commission at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, under Docket No. FMC-2023-0016.
By the Commission.
David Eng,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-07977 Filed 4-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-02-P
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