FMC Issues Reminder About Service Contract Filings

Vessel-operating common carriers must file all service contracts and amendments to the Federal Maritime Commission's SERVCON system "no later than" 30 days "after the effective date," the FMC reminded industry June 2. A failure to file contracts could result in "fines or other penalties," the FMC said. Filers must make sure that they have the right effective date in SERVCON and that amendments to contracts have a "prospective effect," the FMC said. Contracts also cannot reference terms that are not "explicitly contained in the service contract, unless those terms are readily available to the parties and the Commission," the FMC said. The FMC also provided a link to a webpage for information on how to file service contracts.