Notice of Submission for OMB Review and Comment Request

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

Notice of Submission for OMB Review and Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501

et seq.), this notice announces that the information collection

requests abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The submissions to

OMB request continued approval (extensions with no changes) for OMB No.

3072-0012 (Licensing of Ocean Freight Forwarders and Form FMC-18); OMB

No. 3072-0028 (Foreign Commerce Anti-Rebating Certification); and OMB

No. 3072-0053 (Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers Surety Bonds).

Previously, comments were solicited by notice published on March 26,

1998, (63 FR 14713-14714). The FMC did not receive any comments in

response to that notice.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 17, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to:

Edward P. Walsh, Managing Director, Federal Maritime Commission, 800

North Capitol Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20573, (Telephone: (202)

523-5800)

and

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and

Budget, Attention: Ed Clarke, Desk Officer for FMC, 725 17th Street,

N.W., Washington, D.C. 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Send requests for copies of the

current OMB clearances to: George D. Bowers, Director, Office of

Information Resources Management, Federal Maritime Commission, 800

North Capitol Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20573, (Telephone: (202)

523-5834).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Ocean Freight Forwarder Licensing and Application Form FMC-18--

OMB Approval Number 3072-0012 Expires August 31, 1998

Abstract: Section 19 of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app.

Sec. 1718, requires that no person shall act as a freight forwarder

unless they hold a license by the Federal Maritime Commission. The Act

requires the Commission to issue a license to any person that it

determines to be qualified by experience and character to act as an

ocean freight forwarder if that person has provided a surety bond

issued by a surety company found acceptable by the Secretary of the

Treasury. The Commission has implemented the provisions of Section 19

in regulations contained in 46 CFR Part 510 and its related application

form, FMC-18.

Needs and Uses: The Commission uses information obtained from Form

FMC-18 as well as information contained in the Commission's files and

letters of reference to determine whether an applicant meets the

requirements for a license. If the collection of information were not

conducted, there would be no basis upon which the Commission could

determine if applicants are qualified for licensing.

Frequency: This information is collected as applicants apply for a

license or when certain information changes in existing licenses.

Type of Respondents: Persons desiring to act as freight forwarders.

Number of annual respondents: The Commission estimates an annual

respondent universe of 2,007 licensed freight forwarders. The

Commission estimates that the rule will impose, in varying degrees, a

reporting burden on the entire respondent universe.

Estimated time per response: The completion time for the Form FMC-

18 is estimated to be 2 person hours on average with the range being .5

hours to 4 hours.

Total Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the total annual

burden to be 2,018 person hours, as follows: 822 hours to comply with

the regulation provisions; 502 hours for recordkeeping requirements;

and 694 hours to complete the Form FMC-18.

2. Foreign Commerce Anti-rebating Certification--OMB Approval

number 3072-0028 Expires August 31, 1998

Abstract: Section 15(b) of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app.

Sec. 1714(b), requires the chief executive officer of each common

carrier and certain other persons to file with the Commission a

periodic written certification that anti-rebating policies have been

implemented and that full cooperation will be given to any Commission

investigation of illegal rebating activity. The Commission has

implemented the provisions of section 15(b) in regulations contained in

46 CFR 582.

Needs and Uses: The Commission uses the information filed by these

parties to maintain continuous surveillance over the activities of

these entities and to provide an effective deterrent against rebating

practices.

Frequency: This information is collected with the filing of a

carrier's initial tariff and the applicant's ocean freight forwarder

license application. On each subsequent even-numbered calendar year,

certifications are required to be filed.

Type of Respondents: Respondents may include the chief executive

officer of each common carrier and ocean freight forwarder, shipper,

shipper's association, marine terminal operator or broker.

Number of Annual Respondents: The Commission estimates a total of

approximately 4,857 respondents as follows: 2,450 non-vessel-operating

common carriers, 400 vessel operating common carriers and 2,007 ocean

freight forwarders.

Estimated Time Per Response: The Commission estimates approximately

.5 person hours per response.

Total Annual Burden: Total annual burden is estimated at 2,429

person hours.

3. NVOCC Surety Bonds--OMB Approval Number 3072-0053 Expires

September 30, 1998

Abstract: Section 23(a) of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app.

Sec. 1721(a), requires each non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC)

to furnish the Commission with an acceptable bond, proof of insurance

or other surety, which is to be available to pay for damages arising

from transportation-related activities, reparations or penalties. The

Commission has implemented the provisions of section 23(a) in

regulations contained in 46 CFR 583.

Needs and Uses: The Commission uses the information to maintain

continuous surveillance over NVOCCs and to enable the Commission to

discharge its duties under the Act. Upon request, the Commission

provides information to the public regarding a carrier's evidence of

financial responsibility.

[[Page 33063]]

Frequency: Documents are filed annually.

Type of Respondents: Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers.

Number of annual respondents: The Commission estimates that

approximately 2,450 NVOCCs will file these documents.

Estimated Time per response: The Commission estimates one person

hour per response for each filing.

Total Annual Burden: Total annual manhour burden is estimated at

2,450 hours.

Send comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of

the information collections, including suggestions for reducing the

burden, to the addresses shown above.

Joseph C. Polking,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98-16008 Filed 6-16-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6730-01-M