US to introduce new rules on service agreements

摘要

NEW US rules governing service contracts and non-vessel operating common carrier service agreements come into force from August 22 as the US seeks to streamline the regulatory costs and burdens for ocean shipping businesses and their customers. The US Federal Maritime Commission agreed in March to revise the rules to "expedite commerce through streamlining the contractual relationship between carriers, NVOCCs, and shippers". It voted on June 6 to go ahead with a proposed draft 'Final Rule,' which it published the previous week, allowing the "deregulatory flexibilities" for NVOCC negotiated rate arrangements, known as NRAs, and NVOCC service arrangements, known as NSAs, to go into force.