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Partial Government Shutdown Impacting Federal Maritime Commission, National Maritime Center Operations

GCaptain
Total Views: 60
December 27, 2018

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a signing ceremony for H.R. 2, the “Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018” in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Young TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

The partial shutdown of the U.S. government is impacting operations as key maritime agencies and offices across the country.

President Trump has warned of a “very long” shutdown as he pushes Republican-led Congress for new funds for a border wall.

As a result, the Federal Maritime Commission has closed as of Wednesday due to the lapse in appropriations. With the exceptions of Acting Chairman Michael A. Khouri and Commissioner Rebecca Dye, who are Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed officials, all Commission employees have been placed on furlough and are prohibited by law from performing any duties during the shutdown.

The National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Exam Centers (RECs) are also closed until further notice. This means that all customer walk-in service is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are also cancelled, and REC appointment calendars are closed. Applications may continue to be e-mailed or mailed in, but won’t be processed when the shutdown is over.

Details of the services impacted from the FMC and NMC are below.

Federal Maritime Commission Impacts:

  • The Commission will not respond to email or phone inquiries.
  • The Commission’s website will be available during the shutdown, but it will not be updated with new information until operations resume.
    • The Commission will not accept online filings or applications through its website for the following:
    • Service contracts through SERVCON;
    • Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) automated applications or license updates (FMC-18);
    • Foreign Unlicensed Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) registrations or renewals (FMC-65);
    • Tariff Registration Forms (FMC-1);
    • eAgreements Filing System (Ocean carrier or marine terminal operator agreements or amendments; or,
    • eMonitoring System (Agreement monitoring reports, minutes, transcripts); 
  • The Commission will not accept filings during this period for:
    • Ocean carrier or marine terminal operator agreements or amendments;
    • Applications for certification of financial responsibility for cruise lines embarking from U.S. ports; or
    • Agreement monitoring reports, minutes, or transcripts.
  • The Commission’s online databases: SERVCON, the VOCC and NVOCC Tariff List, List of FMC Licensed and Bonded OTIs, and the Agreement Notices & Library will not be accessible.
  • The Commission will not accept or act on complaints, requests for dispute resolution services, or ombudsman services.
  • All filing deadlines in formal and informal adjudicatory and investigatory proceedings pending before the Commission or Administrative Law Judges are temporarily suspended as of 0001 HOURS December 22, 2018. No filings will be received during the shutdown. Upon reopening of the federal government and the Federal Maritime Commission, the public is welcome to contact the Office of the Secretary, 202-523-5725 or [email protected], with any questions about filing deadlines or computation of time in proceedings.

The Commission will resume normal operations upon enactment of appropriations legislation.

National Maritime Center Impacts:

  • The Customer Service Center call center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. You may reach the call center at 1-888-IASKNMC (427- 5662) and [email protected].
  • The NMC website will provide updates on NMC and REC operating status.
  • Applications or mariner training provider documentation can be e-mailed or mailed and will be processed when the partial shutdown is over.
  • For questions regarding credentialing issues related to national security, please contact our call center at 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662) or [email protected].

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