Federal Maritime Commission 

Fiscal Year 2020 

Budget Justification 

Michael A. Khouri 

Chairman 

March 2019 
Federal Maritime Commission i

FY 2020 Budget Justification

Table of Contents

Mission ............................................................................................................................................1

Overview of the FMC.......................................................................................................................2

Statutory Authority ..................................................................................................................... 2

Regulatory Functions................................................................................................................... 3

Our Organization......................................................................................................................... 4

Proposed Appropriation Language: Salaries and Expenses...........................................................7

Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request ....................................................................................................7

FMC Strategic Plan and the FY 2020 Budget Request................................................................. 9

FMC Activities and Performance Highlights.............................................................................. 12

Strategic Goal 1: Maintain a competitive and reliable international 

ocean transportation supply system.....................................................................................12

Strategic Goal 2: Protect the public from unlawful, unfair, and 

deceptive practices ...............................................................................................................17

Supporting the President’s Management Agenda........................................................................23

Initiatives and Efforts to Increase Efficiencies, Create Awareness, and 

Benefit the Taxpayer.....................................................................................................................31

Appendices....................................................................................................................................35

Appendix A: Resource Allocation by Program.......................................................................... 36

Appendix B: FTEs and Positions Allocation by Program........................................................... 37

Appendix C: Obligations by Object Class.................................................................................. 38

Appendix D: Relationship of Obligations to Outlays................................................................ 39

Appendix E: Performance Measures by Strategic Goals.......................................................... 40

Appendix F: Workload Summary.............................................................................................. 41

Appendix G: IT Resources Statements..................................................................................... 42

Appendix H: OIG Certification .................................................................................................. 46
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 1

Competition and Integrity for

America’s Ocean Supply Chain

Mission

Ensure a competitive and reliable international 

ocean transportation supply system that supports 

the U.S. economy and protects the public from 

unfair and deceptive practices.

Fulfilling this mission involves achieving two primary goals:

1. Maintain a competitive and reliable 

international ocean transportation supply

system.

2. Protect the public from unlawful, unfair, and 

deceptive practices.
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Federal Maritime Commission 2

Overview of the FMC

First constituted over 100 years ago as the United States Shipping Board in the Shipping Act of 

1916, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC or Commission) was authorized in its current 

form as an independent Executive Branch agency in 1961. International ocean shipping is vital 

to the Nation’s commerce, moving more than $1 trillion in U.S. exports and imports each year. 

From its beginning, the Commission has worked to further competition and integrity for 

America’s ocean supply chain. While the specifics of U.S. maritime policy and legislation have 

evolved over time, the FMC’s mission of ensuring a competitive and reliable international 

ocean transportation supply system and protecting the public from unlawful, unfair, and 

deceptive ocean transportation practices remain the cornerstone of today’s regulatory efforts. 

Statutory Authority

The FMC oversees the international ocean transportation supply system to maintain

competitiveness and reliability for the shipping public. The FMC also protects the public from 

unlawful, unfair, and deceptive practices. 

The principal statutes administered by the Commission, codified at 46 U.S.C. §§ 40101-44106, 

are:

• The Shipping Act of 1984, as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 

(Shipping Act);

• The Foreign Shipping Practices Act of 1988 (FSPA);

• Section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (1920 Act); and

• Sections 2 and 3 of Pub. L. No. 89-777, 80 Stat. 1350.

On December 4, 2018, the Federal Maritime Commission Authorization Act of 2017 was 

enacted. This authorization included certain amendments to the Shipping Act. The statutory

changes provide new FMC authorities for:

• Competition regulatory oversight and remedies for violations of the Shipping Act’s 

antitrust provisions;

• Ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licensing requirements; and 

• Requiring reports and other information filing by marine terminal operators (MTOs)

and ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs). 
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Federal Maritime Commission 3

Regulatory Functions

The FMC maintains a competitive and reliable ocean transportation supply system by:

• Reviewing and monitoring agreements among and between vessel-operating common 

carriers (VOCCs or Carriers) and among and between MTOs serving the U.S. foreign 

oceanborne trades to ensure that they do not cause unreasonable increases in 

transportation costs or decreases in transportation services;

• Maintaining and reviewing confidentially filed service contracts which provides a 

critical source of data and information on trends in carrier pricing and services;

• Providing a forum for exporters, importers, and other members of the shipping public 

to obtain relief from ocean shipping practices or disputes that impede the flow of 

commerce;

• Ensuring common carriers’ tariff rates and charges are published in private, automated 

tariff systems and publicly available;

• Monitoring rates, charges, and rules of government-owned or -controlled carriers to 

ensure they are just and reasonable; and

• Acting to address unfavorable conditions caused by foreign government or foreign 

business practices in U.S. foreign shipping trades.

The FMC protects the public from financial harm and contributes to the integrity and security 

of the Nation’s import and export supply chains and ocean transportation system. FMC 

activities include:

• Licensing and registering non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs), and

licensing U.S.-based freight forwarders, collectively OTIs; 

• Administering and enforcing a surety bond program to ensure payment of judgments 

for damages by OTIs;

• Investigating and prosecuting violations of the Shipping Act and related statutes;

• Helping resolve disputes involving the shipment of goods or the carriage of passengers;

• Adjudicating private party complaints alleging Shipping Act violations; 

• Ensuring that passenger vessel operators maintain proper financial coverage to 

reimburse cruise passengers in the event their cruise is cancelled or to cover liability in 

the event of death or injury at sea; and

• Registering and annually verifying VOCC status of ocean common carriers operating in 

U.S. trades and the status of U.S.-based MTOs.
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Federal Maritime Commission 4

Our Organization

The FMC is directed by five Commissioners nominated by the President and confirmed by the 

Senate, each serving a staggered five-year term. No more than three members of the 

Commission may be from the same political party. One Commissioner, designated by the 

President, serves as Chairman, Chief Executive, and Chief Administrative Officer of the 

Commission. Michael A. Khouri, a Commissioner since 2010, was designated Acting Chairman

on January 23, 2017, and designated Chairman on March 7, 2019. 

The FMC’s staff is comprised of economists, attorneys, and experts in ocean transportation. 

While most of the workforce is located at its Washington, D.C. headquarters, the Commission 

maintains a presence in six major port locations nationwide. In FY 2018, the FMC realigned its 

Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services under the Office of the Managing 

Director, recognizing management efficiencies and improving information sharing among 

program offices.

In addition to the Commissioners’ offices, the staff of the FMC is organized into 10 bureaus 

and offices: 

The Bureau of Certification and Licensing (BCL)

protects the public from financial harm through 

its OTI licensing, registration, and surety 

bonding programs. BCL also protects the public 

by requiring Passenger Vessel Operators (PVOs) 

to maintain adequate financial coverage to 

reimburse cruise cancellations or to cover 

liability in the event of death or injury at sea. 

The Bureau of Enforcement (BOE) is the 

prosecutorial arm of the Commission. Bureau 

attorneys serve as trial counsel in formal 

proceedings, and protect the shipping public by 

working closely with the Commission’s Area 

Representatives in investigations of potential 

violations of the Shipping Act and Commission 

regulations. BOE negotiates settlements and 

informal compromises of civil penalties, and 

may act as investigative officers in formal factfinding investigations.

The Bureau of Trade Analysis (BTA) analyzes 

and monitors the concerted activities of VOCCs 

and marine terminal operators to detect and 

guard against possible anticompetitive abuse 

of authority contained in filed agreements 

under the Shipping Act that could result in 

substantial increases in transportation costs or 

decreases in transportation services; and to 

identify and address other prohibited activities. 

BTA also reviews and analyzes service 

contracts, monitors rates of foreign, 

government-owned controlled carriers; and 

reviews carrier-published tariff systems under 

the accessibility and accuracy standards of the 

Shipping Act. 

The Office of the Administrative Law Judges 

(OALJ) resolves cases of alleged violations of 

the Shipping Act and other laws within the 

Commission’s jurisdiction. Through trial 

hearings and the issuance of an initial decision, 

the OALJ ensures that the rights of all parties 

are preserved.

The Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute 

Resolution Services (CADRS) provides assistance 

to shippers, OTIs, cruise operators and 
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Federal Maritime Commission 5

passengers, truckers, MTOs, and VOCCs by 

providing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) 

services, ombuds assistance, mediation, 

facilitation, and arbitration to resolve disputes 

involving cargo shipments, household goods 

shipments, and cruises.

The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity 

(OEEO) advises and assists the Commission in 

carrying out its responsibilities relative to Titles 

VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as 

amended), other laws, executive orders, and 

regulatory guidelines implementing affirmative 

employment, and the processing of EEO 

complaints.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is an 

independent and objective oversight office 

created within the FMC by the Inspector 

General Act of 1978 (as amended) to conduct 

and supervise audits, inspections, and 

investigations relating to FMC programs; detect 

and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse; promote 

economy, efficiency, and effectiveness; review 

existing and proposed legislation and 

regulations; keep the Chairman, 

Commissioners, and Congress fully informed of 

serious problems and deficiencies and 

recommend corrective actions; and, as 

appropriate, report violations of law to the U.S. 

Attorney General.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC)

provides sound and timely legal services to the 

Commission and staff as it fulfills 

responsibilities that include: preparing final 

decisions, orders, and regulations for 

Commission approval and issuance; 

representing the Commission in litigation 

before the courts; providing technical and 

policy assistance to other government agencies 

engaged in international negotiations or 

discussions on shipping matters; and providing 

legal opinions to the Commission, its staff, and 

the general public in appropriate instances. 

OGC also oversees the Commission’s international affairs activities. The General Counsel 

is the Commission’s Chief Legal Officer.

The Office of the Managing Director (OMD) is 

responsible for implementing the 

administrative directives of the Chairman, the 

management and coordination of Commission 

program offices and bureaus, and overseeing 

the agency’s Area Representatives located in 

six major port areas nationwide. It has direct 

oversight of the administrative offices of the 

Commission, which include the offices of 

Budget and Finance, Human Resources, 

Information Technology (OIT), and 

Management Services. The Managing Director 

is the Commission’s Chief Financial and 

Operating Officer.

The Office of the Secretary (OS) serves as the 

office through which all filings are made in 

Commission proceedings, notices of 

proceedings are given, and from which all 

official actions are issued by the Commission. 

The OS prepares and maintains agenda matters 

and actions taken by the Commission; 

maintains official files and records of formal 

proceedings; ensures compliance with the 

Freedom of Information, Government in the 

Sunshine, and Privacy Acts; responds to 

information requests from the public; issues 

publications and authenticates instruments 

and documents of the Commission; maintains a 

public reference/law library and a docket 

library; and oversees the organization and 

content of the Commission’s website.
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Federal Maritime Commission 6

Federal Maritime Commission

Organization Chart*

March 2019

*This is the current organization chart for the Commission, depicting a Congressionally-authorized 

realignment of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services under the Managing 

Director, approved April 27, 2018. Counterpart changes in 46 C.F.R. Part 501 are currently pending 

publication.
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Federal Maritime Commission 7

Proposed Appropriation Language: Salaries and Expenses

For necessary expenses of the Federal Maritime Commission as authorized by section 201(d) of 

the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended (46 U.S.C. § 307), including services as authorized by 

5 U.S.C. § 3109; hire of passenger motor vehicles as authorized by 31 U.S.C. § 1343(b); and 

uniforms or allowances therefore, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. §§ 5901 - 5902, $27,490,000

$28,000,000: Provided, That not to exceed $2,000 shall be available for official reception and 

representation expenses. (Proposed text derived from: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, 

P.L. 115-141) 

Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request

The FMC’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Budget Request is $28,000,000 to support 128 full-time 

equivalents (FTEs). This funding level builds on the Commission’s FY 2019 budget request of 

$27,490,000 and reflects necessary increases in operating costs and information technology 

modernization. 

International ocean shipping is vital to the Nation’s commerce, moving more than $1 trillion in U.S. 

exports and imports each year. The FMC’s significant statutory mandate – to ensure a competitive 

and reliable international ocean transportation supply system that supports the U.S. economy and 

protects the public from unfair and deceptive practices – belies its relatively small budget and 

workforce complement. Continuing a trend that has spanned the past decade, the international 

ocean transportation industry continues to adjust and react to challenging market conditions.

Carriers and MTOs have been forced to find ways to cut costs and realize greater efficiencies, 

whether individually or through consolidation, mergers, or operational cooperation with their 

competitors under agreements filed with the FMC. These changes in carrier and MTO-concerted 

activity and market structure require the FMC to continue to quickly respond by timely and 

efficiently analyzing the competitive impact of proposed agreements in the VOCC and MTO 

industries to guard against possible anticompetitive abuse of the filed agreement authority. These 

reviews focus on avoiding unreasonable increases in transportation costs or decreases in 

transportation services, and address other activities prohibited by the Shipping Act. 

The FMC ensures a competitive and reliable international ocean transportation supply system in 

part by balancing the cost-containment strategies and cooperative working arrangements among 

carriers or MTOs with the legitimate business needs of the Nation’s many exporters/ importers to 

ensure that their goods reach international markets efficiently and reliably. As the industry 

continues to evolve and change, the FMC will continue to focus on competition and integrity for 

America’s ocean supply chain by:

• Analyzing and monitoring key U.S. trade lanes;

• Assessing the competitive effects of agreement parties’ activities, particularly focusing on 

issues of costs (freight rates), vessel capacity (supply) and equipment availability upon the 

business community; and
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 8

• Monitoring changes taking place in the provision of chassis for the inland movement of 

containerized goods, and the competitive effects of changing carrier alliance structures, 

particularly as they may affect concerted procurement of carrier services in U.S. ports. 

For many years, the appointed Commissioners and professional staff of the FMC have trimmed 

and refined the agency’s operating budget with a focus on supporting its statutorily mandated 

mission and the Administration’s needs and objectives. The Commission’s past budgets were 

targeted and fiscally responsible. Workload and staffing needs (stated in FTEs) were balanced and 

reconciled annually against supplemental contract support and information systems development 

designed to manage FTE growth and improve the quality and timeliness of FMC decision-making. 

Consistent with its past budgets, the FMC’s FY 2020 Budget Request remains fiscally responsible, 

carefully balancing workforce requirements to meet strategic performance goals, while developing 

and deploying necessary IT security capabilities and modernizing its IT services delivered to the 

American tax payer. 

At the Presidential budget amount of $28,000,000, this budget request covers estimated costs for 

mandatory operational needs. As depicted in the following chart, 86.68 percent of the FMC’s FY 

2020 Budget Request provides for salaries and benefits, mandatory rent and communications, 

mandatory building security, telephones, and interagency services. The remaining 13.32 percent 

must cover mission-critical commercial services, supplies and equipment, training, and official 

travel.
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Federal Maritime Commission 9

This FY 2020 Budget Request includes several graphs and tables which explain the funding and FTE 

resources needed to meet the Commission’s mission and statutory mandates.

• Appendices A and B provide detailed funding and FTE requirements at the program level;

• Appendix C categorizes the funding resources needed for FY 2018 through FY 2020 by 

object class;

• Appendix D provides funding by program areas and the relationship of the Commission’s 

obligations to outlays by fiscal year. Each of these tables is predicated upon the President’s 

FY 2018 and FY 2019 budget levels;

• Appendix E provides an overview of the FMC’s Strategic Goals, Objectives and Performance 

Measures covering FY 2018-2022; 

• Appendix F provides the Commission’s Workload Summary statistics;

• Appendix G sets forth the IT Resources Statements for the Commission; and 

• Appendix H is the Certification of the Office of the Inspector General’s FY 2020 Budget 

Request. 

FMC Strategic Plan and the FY 2020 Budget Request

International ocean transportation continues to evolve rapidly. Container ships revolutionized 

ocean shipping fifty years ago. Globalized international trade has significantly increased over the 

past several decades. The FMC has adapted to and evolved with the industry. From its creation 

over a hundred years ago, and in its current form since 1961, the FMC’s mission remains vital. 

While the specifics of U.S. maritime policy and legislation have changed markedly during the last 

few decades, the FMC’s goal of protecting American exporters, importers, and consumers remains 

the cornerstone of today’s regulatory efforts. Consequently, the Commission focuses on 

maintaining a competitive international ocean transportation system for U.S. exporters and 

importers and protecting the shipping public from financial harm. 

In FY 2018, the Commission published its FY 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, providing the framework to 

address current and anticipated challenges in the ocean transportation industry over the next five 

years. The Strategic Plan calibrates performance measures to ensure the Commission is meeting 

its statutory mission and the needs of a rapidly-changing ocean shipping industry. The FMC’s 

Strategic Plan is a living document, flexible and adaptable, as the shipping industry and the

challenges facing the industry continue to evolve, while providing clear and measurable targets 

that will drive continuous improvement in the FMC’s performance. 
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Federal Maritime Commission 10

The Commission’s FY 2018-2022 Strategic Plan contains two strategic goals. The first goal –

maintain a competitive and reliable international ocean transportation supply system –

encompasses the critical tasks of reviewing and monitoring carrier and MTO agreements, and 

monitoring foreign shipping practices. The second goal – protect the public from unlawful, unfair, 

and deceptive practices – encompasses a broader mandate to protect the shipping public. As 

reflected in the table below, of the total FY 2020 request, $9,811,355 and 41.88 FTEs are needed 

to support Strategic Goal 1. Strategic Goal 2 support requires $18,188,645 and 86.12 FTEs.

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020

Actual Estimate Request

FTE: Headquarters & Field 115.92 123.10 128.00

Cost: Salaries & Benefits $18,317,424.89 $20,082,000.00 $20,638,000.00

Non-Personnel Expenses $8,503,747.24 $7,408,000.00 $7,362,000.00

Total Cost $26,821,172.13 $27,490,000.00 $28,000,000.00

$9,811,355.37

Executive Summary

FY 2020 FTE by FMC Strategic Goal

Strategic Goal 2

$18,188,644.63

Strategic Goal 1

Federal Maritime Commission

FY 2020 Cost by FMC Strategic Goal

Strategic Goal 2

Protect the public from unlawful, unfair and 

deceptive practices and resolve shipping disputes 

86.12

Strategic Goal 1

Maintain an efficient and competitive international 

ocean transportation system

41.88
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Federal Maritime Commission 11

In addition to the FMC’s Strategic Goals, the Commission’s budget request supports the 

President’s Management Agenda and vision of reform through accountability, excellent customer 

service, and fiscal stewardship. By contributing to government-wide initiatives that increase 

efficiencies, improve customer service, and support transparency, the FMC will make a positive 

difference in the lives of the American people and the economy. The FMC’s mission supports the 

President’s commitment to economic growth and job creation. 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 12

FMC action items to support the President’s Management Agenda, addressed on pages 24-35,

identify the FMC’s ongoing commitment to fiscal stewardship by continually looking to improve its 

operational infrastructure, as well as the availability of informational resources for the benefit of 

the public and industry stakeholders. 

FMC Activities and Performance Highlights

This section provides an overview of the programs and work of the FMC that this budget request 

supports. The FMC’s two strategic goals guide the Commission’s planning and performance. By

measuring performance and meeting its strategic goals, the Commission remains an efficient and 

effective steward of taxpayer funds. 

Additional information on the work of the Commission and its accomplishments can be found in 

the FMC’s Annual Reports, published at www.fmc.gov. Further, the FMC submits its Performance 

and Accountability Report (PAR) to Congress annually in November and publishes the PAR on its 

website. The PAR outlines the efficacy of the FMC’s programs and ensures that strategic goals are 

tied to objectives and performance measures that capture actions and results. 

Strategic Goal 1: Maintain a competitive and reliable international ocean transportation 

supply system

Objective: Ensure that actions under filed agreements do not result in unreasonable 

increases in transportation costs and/or unreasonable decreases in transportation 

services

The Commission ensures that America’s international ocean transportation supply system 

provides the public with competitive and reliable movements of goods. To maintain the integrity 

of the international ocean transportation supply system, the FMC monitors, analyzes, and 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 13

evaluates the competitive impact of the shipping industries’ practices, to detect and address as 

necessary, unreasonable increases in transportation costs and/or unreasonable decreases in 

transportation services.

The Commission has statutory authorities and regulations to accomplish this goal, including the 

authority to require the filing of written agreements with the Commission that memorialize 

agreements or cooperation among carriers and/or MTOs. The Commission analyzes these 

agreements when they are initially filed and on an ongoing basis thereafter to determine the 

competitive impact on the industry. The Commission’s regulations also require VOCCs to file their 

service contracts with the Commission, which provides a critical source of data and information on 

existing or emerging trends in carrier pricing and service behavior. The Commission also classifies

and monitors controlled carriers subject to section 9 of the Shipping Act. Common carriers owned 

or controlled by foreign governments are required to adhere to certain requirements under the 

Shipping Act, and their rates are subject to Commission review. 

VOCC and marine terminal operators file agreements with the Commission, which ensures that the 

parties’ activities comply with U.S. shipping statutes and regulations. In carrying out this 

responsibility, the FMC reviews agreement monitoring reports, including commercially-sensitive 

data; prepares economic analyses; and researches and produces studies and profiles on 

agreements, carrier organizations, marine terminal operators, and market conditions in key U.S. 

liner trades. The Commission also identifies and researches economic or commercial issues that 

may distort competition in, or impair access to, U.S. liner markets and remains informed about 

developments in international trade and the global economy. 

The FMC also monitors international ocean shipping rates. Historically, tariffs that specify the rate 

charged for a commodity and the destination were filed – first in paper tariffs then in a fixed 

electronic format – with the Commission to memorialize the applicable rate and combat unjust 

discrimination among shippers. Through a series of deregulatory efforts, and with the growth of 

technology, tariffs are no longer filed with the Commission, and instead are published 

electronically and available to the shipping public through the Internet. The Commission has 

authorized additional flexibilities for the industry to memorialize applicable rates in formats more

commonly used in the industry. A regularly utilized format is the service contract, in which a 

shipper makes a commitment to provide a certain volume or portion of cargo over a fixed period, 

and an ocean common carrier commits to a specified rate and a defined service level. These 

confidential contracts are filed with the Commission in the automated SERVCON system.

Commission rules also permit NVOCCs to enter into NVOCC service arrangements (NSAs) with their 

shipper customers, which are like service contracts between VOCCs and shippers. In addition, the 

FMC is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date electronic listing of ocean carrier tariff locations 

on the Commission’s website for the public’s use in identifying ocean carriers’ publicly-available 

rules and rates for transportation of cargo. 
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Federal Maritime Commission 14

FY 2018 Accomplishments

Ocean Carrier Agreements

The VOCC business continued to evolve in FY 2018, as did the Commission’s monitoring and review 

processes. As a result of downward pressure on ocean freight rates and the resulting financial 

pressures for carriers, consolidation in the ocean carrier industry continued in 2018. Three 

Japanese carriers, K Line, MOL, and NYK, completed the merger of their container shipping 

businesses to form the new company Ocean Network Express, which launched operations in April 

2018. Nonetheless, the vast majority of agreement filings annually are space charter agreements 

and associated amendments to existing agreements that are not likely to raise competitive 

concerns under the standards of the Shipping Act.

As the basis for its analytic work, the FMC receives, reviews, and monitors minutes of agreement 

meetings and regular informational reports, confidentially filed by parties, to potentially 

anticompetitive agreements, such as those that discuss freight rates, service contract guidelines, 

cargo or revenue pooling, and/or the rationalization of vessel capacity. In FY 2018, the 

Commission received 193 agreement filings, including 149 new carrier agreements, amendments 

to existing agreements, and terminations of existing agreements. The FMC reviewed, evaluated, 

and processed 180 filings during the fiscal year, including those pending at the end of the prior 

fiscal year. (See Appendix F for these and other workload statistics.)

By way of example, carrier agreement-related activities in FY 2018 include:

• Completing a review and economic analysis of an amendment to THE Alliance Agreement, 

FMC No. 012439-002, to expand the geographic scope of the agreement and provide for 

the transition of the three merged Japanese carriers into the Ocean Network Express Pte. 

Ltd.

• Completing a review and competition analysis of an agreement authorizing U.S.-flag 

carriers to rationalize capacity, pool vessels and revenue, and charter vessel space to each 

other, Schuyler/U.S. Ocean Space Charter and Cooperative Working Agreement, FMC No. 

012482.

• Preparing an economic analysis on a petition from ocean carriers for an exemption under 

46 CFR 535.307 from the agreement filing requirements of the Shipping Act, FMC Docket 

No. P2-17, Petition of COSCO Shipping Lines Co. Ltd. et al for an Exemption from 

Agreement Filing for certain agreements between COSCO and its VOCC affiliate, OOCL.

Marine Terminal Operator Agreements

The Commission oversees 99 marine terminal agreements across the U.S East, Gulf, and Pacific 

coasts. To facilitate operations, some U.S. marine terminals enter into agreements on rates 

and/or terminal charges, or to cooperate in their daily terminal operations and related 

practices. In the landside operations sector during FY 2018, the Commission reviewed MTO and 

assessment agreements that include:
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 15

• Reviewing changes proposed by the West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA), FMC 

Agreement No. 201143, by which MTOs in Los Angeles and Long Beach would modify their 

off-peak program to include a truck appointment system intended to reduce idle truck time 

during peak hours, balance the flow of traffic during day and night shifts, and to provide for 

a flat fee applicable across all shifts.

• Issuing a Request for Additional Information (RFAI) to WCMTOA to elicit data and 

information needed to assess the economic and competitive impact of the proposed 

changes. Based upon the MTOs’ responses, the Commission allowed the WCMTOA 

amendment to take effect.

• Completing reviews and competitive impact analyses of three marine terminal agreements 

to establish a conference and cooperative working arrangements at the Port of Tacoma, 

namely, the Husky-Ports America Washington Marine Terminal Cooperative Working 

Agreement, FMC No. 201240, Tacoma Marine Terminal Operator Conference Agreement, 

FMC No. 201241, and Tacoma Marine Terminal Operator Cooperative Working Agreement, 

FMC No. 201242. The Commission issued an RFAI to two of the three Tacoma Agreements, 

201241 and 201242, and reviewed staff’s updated competitive impact analysis based upon 

the MTO’s responses before allowing the agreements to be implemented.

• Reviewing an agreement between the Georgia Ports Authority and the South Carolina Ports 

Authority to establish a new chassis pool to serve the South Atlantic region of the U.S. This 

Agreement, the Southern States Chassis Pool Agreement, FMC Agreement No. 201262, was 

filed in an effort to reduce the cargo delays the Ports have experienced due to the lack of 

sufficient high-quality chassis in the region. Upon review, the Commission concluded that 

any cost increases resulting from the proposed equipment upgrades under the new chassis 

pool model would likely be offset by the benefits of the agreement.

Fiscal year 2018 saw the substantial completion of a comprehensive audit of all MTO agreements 

on file with the Commission. This endeavor eliminated obsolete or inactive agreements from the 

FMC’s agreement library, allowed for a more accurate representation of the antitrust immunity 

afforded by statute to U.S.-based MTOs, and conveyed to the public a clearer understanding of 

what activities are taking place under those agreements. Additionally, the initiative significantly

reduced the administrative burden associated with MTO agreement filings, as almost all MTO 

agreements can now be filed and amended using the Commission’s online eAgreements system. 

Plans are in place to complete the migration of the few remaining MTO agreements to the online 

system.

As part of the Commission’s MTO agreements audit, entities no longer providing MTO services to 

ocean common carriers were removed from the Commission’s website and are deemed to operate 

outside the FMC’s substantive jurisdiction. In addition, for those MTOs that elect to make their 

MTO schedules publicly available, staff verified the internet location where those schedules are 

published and updated the FMC website accordingly to provide more current information to the 

public.
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Federal Maritime Commission 16

Service Contracts and Tariffs

During FY 2018, VOCCs filed thousands of service contracts and contract amendments into the 

SERVCON system. (See Appendix F for these and other workload statistics.) The FMC also 

processed both original NSAs and amendments filed by NVOCCs until the filing requirement was 

discontinued effective August 22, 2018 by rulemaking in FMC Docket No. 17-10. The Commission 

received, processed, and reviewed Form FMC-1 filings, which the Commission uses to provide the 

location of carrier rate tariffs to the public through its website. The Commission continued to 

reach out to various service contract filers to encourage the use of web services when filing service 

contracts to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and eliminate frequent filing errors.

It is anticipated that the service contract and tariff-related workload will remain relatively steady 

through 2019 and 2020, as several major VOCCs have been slow to implement new regulatory 

relief under a final rule which allows ocean carriers to file service contract amendments up to 30 

days after they become effective. VOCCs do not appear to have adopted this flexibility, advising 

that internal business processes require that they still process amendments in their respective 

auto-rating systems, in order for bills of lading to accurately reflect the freight rates and other 

terms agreed to with shippers, as of the effective date of the change. 

A final rule, recently adopted in FMC Docket No. 17-10, eliminated SERVCON and essential terms

filings of NSAs for those NVOCCs currently using these tariff alternatives, prospectively reducing 

their regulatory filing burdens. For those NVOCCs using NVOCC Rate arrangements (NRAs), the 

Commission allowed NRAs to be amended at any time; allowed inclusion of non-rate economic 

terms; and permitted NVOCCs to provide for shipper’s acceptance of the NRA, by booking a 

shipment. Since the final rule became effective in July 2018, the Commission has provided 

guidance to NVOCCs seeking to expand NRA offerings to their shippers or introduce NRAs as a 

pricing option to their customers. 

The continual entry and exit of OTIs to and from the market requires ongoing follow-up on the 

part of Commission staff to ensure that an accurate listing of tariff publication locations on the 

Commission’s website is maintained, and to ensure that published tariffs meet the Commission’s 

tariff publication requirements. Staff also monitor VOCC tariffs for compliance and to verify that 

VOCCs continue to operate as common carriers in the U.S. waterborne foreign commerce.

International Affairs 

In FY 2018, the FMC informally pursued several matters that involved potentially restrictive foreign 

practices including new legislation, new interpretations of existing legislation, and new regulations 

of international carriers’ terminal handling charges. The FMC continued to monitor and 

participate, both formally and informally, in international agreement negotiations that could affect 

foreign-borne cargo shipments to the United States. In addition, the FMC tracked consumer 

inquiries regarding possible foreign restrictive shipping practices.

The FMC continued its international outreach efforts by attending and coordinating events with 

foreign embassies and counterparts. In FY 2018, the Commission, in conjunction with other 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 17

Federal agencies, participated in bilateral international negotiations and discussions on shipping 

matters. In March 2018, the FMC participated in the 4th U.S.-Japan Bilateral Dialogue in Tokyo, 

Japan. The FMC joined representatives from the Maritime Administration (MARAD), the Coast

Guard, and the Department of State to discuss matters pertaining to the state of the industry at 

large with representatives from the Japanese Ministry of Transport. FMC representatives also met

separately with representatives from the Japan Fair Trade Commission. In April 2018, the FMC 

participated in the 10th U.S.-China Maritime Consultations in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. In 

addition to participating in this bilateral discussion with the Chinese Ministry of Transport, FMC 

representatives, along with MARAD and Department of State representatives, were also able to 

participate in the 9th U.S.-China Transportation Forum, which included broader discussions of the 

maritime industry and other transportation modes. In May 2018, FMC representatives, as well as 

representatives from MARAD and the Department of State, attended the U.S.-Panama Maritime 

Bilateral Discussions in Washington, DC. The discussions touched on the economic significance of 

an expanded Panama Canal, port infrastructure development, mariner training, autonomous 

vessels, and maritime security. 

Supply Chain Innovation Initiative

In December 2017, the 18-month work of the Commission’s Supply Chain Innovation Initiative 

culminated in the issuance of a final report on challenges and commercial solutions to supply chain 

challenges and related port congestion concerns. Led by Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye, Supply 

Chain Innovation Teams composed of industry leaders from across the international ocean 

transportation supply chain discussed challenges and collaborated on solutions to help reduce 

port congestion and remove related obstacles to efficient U.S. supply chain operations. The teams 

looked beyond the dock and the terminal gate to identify commercial solutions to existing 

challenges and increase American international supply chain performance, both for import and 

export cargoes. The report identified several major systemic challenges, such as the lack of direct 

customer relationships between actors in the system, such as shippers and marine terminals. 

One “Value Proposition” resulting from the initiative is to establish a National Seaport Information 

Portal to provide visibility of critical, timely information so that self-correction and harmonization 

can occur in the supply chain. The Port of Los Angeles and GE Transportation are now working 

with MTOs, shipping lines, cargo interests and railroads to develop, as a pilot project, a single 

electronic window funneling much-needed data on arrivals, terminal handling, container location 

and release times in order to optimize use of assets and reduce supply chain costs.

Strategic Goal 2: Protect the public from unlawful, unfair, and deceptive practices

Objective 1: Identify and take action to end Unlawful, Unfair, and Deceptive Practices

The Commission effectively uses both its enforcement and compliance programs to identify and 

act to end unlawful, unfair, and deceptive practices. Major investigations undertaken or 

completed during FY 2018 continued to address ongoing practices of certain OTIs operating in the 

volatile China-U.S. inbound trades, as well as VOCCs seeking to operate pursuant to agreements 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 18

that were not filed with the Commission. Enforcement-based initiatives will continue to address

VOCCs and NVOCCs that engage in unfair service contracting practices, particularly those practices 

which permit unlicensed OTIs to compete unlawfully with carriers and OTIs operating in 

compliance with U.S. laws. The FMC will pursue enforcement actions against those who pursue 

market-distorting, fraudulent, or anticompetitive practices harmful to the industry and the public.

FY 2018 Accomplishments

Fact Finding Investigation

In March 2018, the FMC initiated Fact Finding 28 to investigate port demurrage, detention, and 

free time practices. Specifically, reports about uncertainty stemming from differing practices 

between MTOs and VOCCs on the collection of charges from shippers, consignees, drayage 

providers, or carriers have led to questions about whether current practices allow for a 

competitive and reliable American freight delivery system. A Final Report was issued in December

2018. The conclusions and recommendations of the Fact-Finding Officer will be used by the 

Commission to determine its policies with respect to detention, demurrage, and free time 

practices of regulated entities.

Interpretive Rule

Commenced Docket 18-06, Interpretive Rule: Shipping Act of 1984, Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking issued September 6, 2018, seeking to clarify for the industry and shippers the FMC’s 

jurisdictional and evidentiary requirements when alleging conduct that would violate the Shipping 

Act’s prohibition on unjust or unreasonable practices under 46 U.S.C. § 41102(c). This clarification 

returns the Commission’s interpretation that an entity must engage in a practice or regulation in a 

normal, customary, and continuous basis and such practice or regulation must be found to be 

unjust or unreasonable in order to constitute a violation of that section of the Shipping Act. 

Enforcement Actions

In Docket No. 15-10, the Commission affirmed the order of the Chief ALJ revoking the license of 

Washington Movers, Inc., an NVOCC, and ordering it to cease and desist operating as an ocean 

transportation intermediary. The decision was based on the federal convictions of the licensee’s 

former owner/President/Qualifying Individual for attempting to smuggle weapons to a foreign 

country through the company’s NVOCC operations.

In OTI Hearing Docket No. 18-01, Triton Alive, LLC, the Commission declined to review the initial 

decision of a Hearing Officer affirming the Bureau of Certification and Licensing’s intent to deny an 

OTI application based on the applicant’s lack of financial responsibility and character to operate as 

an OTI. 

During the fiscal year, 28 investigative matters were referred for enforcement action or informal

compromise; 16 were compromised and settled, administratively closed, or referred for formal 

proceedings. The Commission completed notable compromise agreements with several major 

NVOCCs serving the inbound Far East-U.S. trades, addressing a variety of service contracting 

malpractices. The Commission continued ongoing investigations relating to unfiled VOCC 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 19

agreements in the U.S.-foreign trades, both inbound and outbound. (See Appendix F for these and 

other workload statistics.)

Compliance Program

In FY 2018, the compliance and audit program continued as a major focus in reviewing the 

operations of licensed OTIs to assist them in complying with statutory and regulatory 

requirements, as well as reviewing entities holding out as VOCCs to determine existence of actual 

vessel operations. During the fiscal year, 146 audits were commenced and 130 were completed. 

(See Appendix F for these and other workload statistics.)

Cross-Agency Cooperation

The FMC is active in security initiatives as they relate to U.S. ocean commerce, and works to 

coordinate the use of available database systems with other agencies engaged in homeland 

security to improve identification of entities providing and utilizing maritime transportation 

services. To facilitate these activities, the FMC executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 

with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide a more efficient utilization of existing 

systems and services, such as CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The FMC also has 

an active Inter-Agency Agreement (IAA) with the Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce

for access to the Census’ Automated Export System (AES) database. These relationships allow the 

FMC to access confidential U.S. export shipment data to accomplish its mission and to protect the 

Nation’s security interests. The Commission also supports the Nation’s economic and security 

interests by partnering with the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR 

Center), a U.S. Department of Homeland Security-led partnership of 23 federal and international 

agencies targeting intellectual property- and trade-related crimes. This partnership has resulted in 

coordinated enforcement efforts to address international criminal activity. 

Objective 2: Prevent public harm through licensing and financial responsibility 

requirements

Ocean transportation intermediaries are transportation middlemen for oceanborne cargo moving 

in the U.S.-foreign trades. Before the FMC grants licenses to OTIs, each OTI applicant must 

establish that it has the necessary character and a minimum of three years of experience in the 

U.S., as well as establish its financial responsibility by means of a bond, insurance, or other 

instrument, as mandated by the Shipping Act. 

FY 2018 Accomplishments

Licensing

Over 6,400 OTIs are regulated by the Commission, consisting of over 4,800 licensed entities and 

more than 1,550 foreign-based registered NVOCCs. (See Appendix F for these and other workload 

statistics.) During FY 2018, the Commission continued to streamline its OTI licensing process, 

resulting in a reduction in the time to process applications and render a decision, supporting the 

Commission’s goal of completing 75 percent of all OTI license applications within 60 days. The 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 20

Commission exceeded its 75 percent target, completing 90 percent of all OTI license applications 

within 60 days. More than 750 new and amended OTI applications were received during FY 2018, 

and of those, approximately 70 percent were accepted and processed for formal determination of 

approval. The remaining 30 percent were returned to the applicant due to lack of completeness or 

lack of appropriate qualifications. All licensed and registered OTIs must maintain proof of financial 

responsibility with the Commission. At present, this amounts to over $680 million in surety bonds 

to protect the shipping public.

A triennial renewal program for OTIs licensed with the FMC was successfully launched in March 

2017. The user-friendly, online renewal process enables OTIs to review and update their essential 

information on file with the Commission within minutes. Over 2,000 OTI licenses have been 

renewed annually since the program began, with most reviewed and processed within 48 hours of 

submission. Industry feedback has been very positive. In addition, in FY 2018, the Commission 

processed 176 new and amended foreign NVOCC registrations and 112 registration renewals.

Passenger Vessels

The FMC also oversees a program to ensure financial responsibility for passenger vessels that have 

berth or stateroom accommodations for 50 or more passengers and embark passengers at U.S. 

ports and territories. The requirement for Certificates of Performance, which provide financial 

responsibility for the indemnification of passengers for non-performance of transportation, 

prevents unscrupulous or financially vulnerable operators from serving U.S. ports. The Passenger 

Vessel Operator (PVO) program includes 231 vessels and 50 passenger vessel operators, with 

aggregate evidence of financial responsibility coverage of $631.8 million for non-performance and 

$721 million for casualty. Commencing in April 2018, PVO Performance Certificates for passenger 

vessels will be reissued every five years, with 137 reissued during FY 2018. Through its website 

and the CADRS office, the FMC offers information and guidance to the cruising public on passenger 

rights and obligations regarding monies paid to cruise lines that fail to perform voyages.

For example, the Commission assisted in obtaining reimbursement of passengers for cancelled 

French America Line (FAL) voyages through FAL’s escrow or refunds obtained by other means. 

Modernization of Licensing Processes

In FY 2019 and FY 2020, the Commission will pursue further opportunities to streamline its 

business processes and consider additional regulatory reforms, as appropriate, including: 

• Exploring alternatives to enhance PVO monitoring procedures; 

• Reviewing procedures regarding OTI licensing applications; and 

• Continuing efforts to automate and integrate the OTI licensing, registration, and renewal 

processes by eliminating redundancy and decreasing external stakeholder and staff time. 

Further, the Commission will continue to leverage its existing data collection of surety bond usage 

to measure how effectively bonds are protecting the industry and the public. 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 21

Objective 3: Enhance public awareness of agency resources, remedies, and regulatory 

requirements through education and outreach

The Commission provides information in many forms to educate regulated entities, stakeholders,

and the public about its resources, remedies, and regulatory requirements. The Commission’s 

website offers brochures, how-to guides, forms and applications, reference libraries, news 

releases, information on investigations, and advice on topics such as FMC regulations, OTI 

licensing, household goods moves, and use of ADR services to assist parties with resolving cruiseand cargo-related disputes. Commission staff from the various operating bureaus and offices

participate in presentations and instructional opportunities to educate consumers, regulated 

entities, various shipper and industry trade associations, as well as academic institutions regarding 

regulations, shipping trends, and the effective use of available FMC resources to resolve formal 

proceedings, cruise and cargo-related disputes, service contract matters, and other commercial 

shipping disputes.

FY 2018 Accomplishments

In FY 2018, the Commission made significant progress on the project to redesign its public-facing 

website, www.fmc.gov. When launched in FY 2019, the newly designed website will significantly 

improve public access to Commission resources by revising key content, and migrating all content 

to a mobile responsive platform to meet new government-wide website requirements and make 

materials easier to locate. The Commission’s IT plan will increase availability of public documents, 

including the docket library, historical document repository, and minutes of Commission actions 

under the Sunshine Act, on the FMC’s website. In addition, the Commission continues to enhance 

its technological capabilities to caption and live stream the agency’s public meetings under the 

Sunshine Act over the world wide web.

Objective 4: Impartially and timely resolve international shipping disputes through 

alternative dispute resolution and adjudication

The FMC offers informal dispute resolution, and adjudicates claims of unlawful practices by 

carriers, MTOs, and OTIs. The Commission’s Area Representatives and CADRS educate industry 

members and the public on the Shipping Act and shipping regulations, and help to address 

international ocean transportation disputes. 

Alternative Dispute Resolution

The FMC, through CADRS, offers both facilitation and arbitration services to the industry and 

shipping public to resolve disputes. An online mediation tutorial and tool was created for parties 

to use to prepare for mediation. The Commission supports mediation and collaborative dispute 

resolution when feasible, and requires parties involved in formal Commission docketed 

proceedings to attend mandatory mediation conferences. 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 22

FY 2018 Accomplishments

During the fiscal year, the Commission helped consumers in various disputes with transportation 

companies relating to household goods, including: 

• Providing assistance to a licensed OTI to rescue export household goods shipments valued 

at $128,828. 

• Resolving a dispute without litigation between a commercial beneficial cargo owner 

involving an NVOCC’s attempts to collect approximately $11,330 in past due charges on 

earlier shipments.

• Aiding customers of a licensed freight forwarder that collected payment for the ocean 

freight, but failed to remit payment to the ocean carrier. 

• Helping 3 warehouse operators and more than 26 shippers to locate and retrieve their 

cargo from an unlicensed OTI. The Commission issued an alert to the public warning 

against doing business with this OTI and several alter ego companies.

• Facilitating negotiations between a trucker and a container management company for a big 

box shipper in a dispute regarding chassis fees. 

• Assisting passengers in seeking an informal resolution of 17 complaints seeking 

compensation for a sailing that encountered rough seas as the result of winter storm 

Grayson, where passengers complained of unsafe conditions and the loss of many onboard 

activities. 

Proceedings before the FMC

The ALJs, whose independence is protected by the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 

Subchapter II, resolve cases involving alleged violations of the Shipping Act and other laws within 

the Commission’s jurisdiction. Cases may be initiated either by private parties or by the 

Commission (represented by the Bureau of Enforcement) to seek civil penalties for statutory 

violations. The Chief ALJ also has the authority to assign small claims complaints, valued at up to 

$50,000, to a Small Claims Officer for resolution.

FY 2018 Accomplishments

Representative Adjudications and Litigation

In FY 2018, the Commission resolved international shipping disputes filed by complainants and 

enforced the Shipping Act and its regulations through adjudication before the Commission. The 

Commission, including its ALJs and legal staff, issued numerous legal opinions, recommendations, 

case summaries, decisions, and final orders.

Commission Decisions 

The following is representative of cases heard before the Commission:

• Revocation of License No. 017843 Washington Movers, Inc. [Docket No. 15-10]

On October 8, 2015, the Commission ordered Washington Movers, Inc. to show cause why the 

Commission should not revoke its OTI license due to the felony weapons smuggling convictions of 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 23

its qualifying individual and various alleged regulatory violations. The Commission subsequently 

assigned this matter to the Office of Administrative Law Judges for further proceedings. After 

briefing and a hearing, the ALJ issued an Initial Decision revoking Washington Movers’ license on 

June 29, 2017. Washington Movers filed exceptions to the ALJ’s decision, and, on March 16, 2018, 

the Commission affirmed the revocation of Washington Movers’ license and ordered it to cease 

and desist all OTI activities. 

Litigation before Courts

The following is representative of cases in federal courts.

• Santa Fe Discount Cruise Parking v. The Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and 

the Galveston Port Facilities Corporation [FMC Docket No. 14-06; D.C. Cir. Case No. 17-

1089].

Complainants are businesses that operate parking lots for cruise passengers departing from the 

Port of Galveston. Complainants filed a complaint with the Commission alleging, among other 

things, that Respondents violated 46 U.S.C. § 41106(2) by unreasonably subjecting cruise 

passenger parking lot operators to a less favorable regime for charging port access fees to pick up 

and drop off cruise passengers, than the fee regime for other businesses (e.g., hotels). The ALJ 

denied Complainants’ claims and dismissed them with prejudice on December 4, 2015. On April 4, 

2017, the Commission affirmed the ALJ’s decision, and two of the Complainants subsequently 

petitioned the D.C. Circuit for review. Oral argument was held on March 12, 2018, and on May 11, 

2018, the Court vacated the Commission’s decision and remanded the case to the Commission for 

further proceedings. The Commission in turn remanded the case to the ALJ. On remand, the ALJ 

found that the Complainants had not proved that Respondents violated § 41106(2) and again 

dismissed the Complaint. Complainants filed exceptions to this decision on December 7, 2018, and 

this matter remains before the Commission upon review. 

Supporting the President’s Management Agenda

The FMC is committed to provide excellent service and to effectively steward taxpayer dollars by 

making smart investments and using management strategies to deliver effective and efficient 

government that rapidly reacts to the changing needs of its citizens and supports economic 

growth. 

IT Modernization

The FMC remains committed to continuous enhancement of its IT systems, which will make it 

faster and easier for individuals and businesses to find information and complete required filings 

with the FMC. The FMC’s Information Technology Strategic Plan FY 2018-2022 (IT Strategic Plan), 

identifies several overarching challenges and plans for efforts including: consolidation and upgrade 

of legacy applications and infrastructure with newer technologies; implementation of IT 

automation to streamline workflow processes and improve efficiency; and integrating security 

standards and frameworks to protect from cybersecurity risks, agency-owned/issued assets and 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 24

commercially sensitive data collected from the shipping public. FY 2020 IT-related spending, 

excluding personnel costs, is $1,375,262. This amount includes funding for ongoing major IT 

application development; IT network device and security upgrades; maintenance of IT 

infrastructure, A/V equipment, applications and IT software; cloud computing services and 

hosting; and telecommunications. This number is a decrease of $217,510 from FY 2019 IT 

spending due to greater initial IT application development costs in FY 2019. 

One of the Commission’s highest investment priorities remains the ongoing development and 

deployment of its internal and public-facing information systems. The FMC’s IT Strategic Plan 

outlines the core objectives and timelines for: 

• Managing and delivering quality IT systems and services critical for the FMC to fulfill its 

mission and support related administrative, business, and operational functions; 

• Maintaining IT policies, procedures, and practices that support efficient and effective FMC 

business, administrative, and mission processes; 

• Expanding on current progress to strengthen cybersecurity of the FMC’s networks and 

systems; and

• Ensuring reliability and accuracy of federal information technology as required by statutes, 

government-wide requirements, directives, or guidance.

When fully implemented, these investments will automate, streamline, and improve the 

Commission’s internal business processes; expand research and analysis capabilities; provide 

better transparency and public access to information; and eliminate paper-based systems in favor 

of web-based, automated systems. The shipping public uses these web-based systems to file 

license applications, carrier and MTO agreements, and commercially-sensitive operational data 

which is analyzed and reported on by the Commission’s expert economist staff in their

competition analyses.

The Commission continues to automate workflow documents for both Commission staff and the 

public to reduce dependency on paper filings. Further, the Commission will increase transparency 

and availability of documents through its website, including Sunshine Act meeting materials. Work 

has begun on development of an online docket filing tool. Also important are FMC initiatives to 

improve visibility of critical information, archiving, and streamlining of content to improve 

information delivery and accuracy.

The Commission uses IT contractor support to upgrade and modernize its IT systems and webbased applications. Given the Commission’s overall FTE level and relatively small number of IT 

staff, the Commission relies on IT contractor skills and specialized knowledge to supplement the 

Commission’s IT staff, rather than incur the costs to maintain all necessary resources and 

specialized skills in-house. This approach has proven effective in meeting its IT automation needs 

while containing FTE levels. 

Contractor-provided software engineer services are used to assist the Commission’s IT staff 

modernize its infrastructure, server platforms, and develop mission-critical, web-based 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 25

applications; while providing on-site, hands-on training and knowledge transfer. This lays the 

groundwork for shifting the responsibility of maintenance and troubleshooting of in-house built 

applications from contractors to FMC IT staff. By leveraging outside contractor support for the 

most specialized development tasks, this approach has decreased our overall IT staffing needs for 

all previously identified and upcoming application development efforts. As the Commission’s

needs mature, contractor services and future funding requirements can be reduced accordingly. 

Successful automation of workflow allows staff to handle ever-increasing case, filing, and 

application volumes, or to permit staff to be allocated to other critical program areas. Subject to 

funding availability, the FMC will continue with its systematic application modernization in FY 2020 

and beyond, updating and deploying the applications needed by program staff in the various 

operating bureaus, and used by the regulated shipping community to comply with FMCadministered shipping statues and regulations.

Prior years’ IT expenditures have set the stage for implementing the next phase of the FMC’s 

application modernization plan, and for building or updating the IT systems and web applications. 

Under the previous Information Resources Management Strategic Plan, the Commission 

engineered and implemented critical hardware and software upgrades to its network 

infrastructure to support a more resilient and secure cloud-based environment, and also pursued 

proof-of-concept testing to validate applications identified for development in the Microsoft Azure 

environment. 

The first application upgraded and migrated to the Azure platform was the Commission’s existing

Service Contract Filing System (SERVCON) application. SERVCON is a statutorily required, webfacing filing system for ocean common carrier service contracts and NVOCC service arrangements. 

The FMC uses SERVCON to review service contracts and NVOCC arrangements to ensure that these 

commercial pricing agreements and the parties to them, comport with the requirements of the 

Shipping Act. 

The SERVCON upgrade was successfully launched in July 2018 without service disruptions or 

operational problems, and resulted in a more robust and resilient system. This application upgrade 

and migration to the more secure cloud-based environment was executed with FMC IT staff taking 

the lead on the programing enhancements, supplemented with specialized IT contractor support. 

The FY 2020 budget request provides for planned initiatives and projects under the FMC’s IT 

Strategic Plan covering FY 2018 - 2022, including IT contractor support needed to continue the 

work started at the end of FY 2018 to modernize and integrate the Commission’s OTI licensing 

applications. Upgrades and development of new applications included in the FMC’s IT Strategic 

Plan and scheduled through FY 2022 are shown in the following table:
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 26

IT Systems to be Updated Unique 

Investment 

Identifier

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 Notes

SERVCON (Update of service 

contract filing system)

251001 Deployed Deployed Deployed Completed in FY 2018

Electronic Records Initiative 251001 $100,000 $100,000 Deployed Projected completion in

FY 2019

FMC-18 Application Processing 

System (APS)

FMC-18 OTI License & 

Registration Application 

(back end )

251001 $1,097,000 

includes related 

applications

$1,123,000

includes related 

applications

$600,000

includes 

related 

applications

Internal workflow processes 

to be integrated with publicfacing front end, and with 

related applications below

E-bonds (Electronic Bonds) 

Filing System

251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

E-filing system for OTI surety 

cos. to be developed in 

conjunction with FMC-18.

FMC-1 Filing System 251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

Stand-alone FMC-1 tariff 

locator will be integrated 

into updated FMC-18.

Regulated Persons Index 

(RPI) (Data Store integration)

251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

Stand-alone RPI will be 

integrated into updated 

FMC-18 system.

FMC-18 License Renewal for 

OTI Licensees

251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

Developed in production 

system, will migrate to 

updated FMC-18 system. 

FMC-65 Registration 

Renewal for Foreign-Based 

OTIs

251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

Developed in production 

system, will migrate to 

updated FMC-18 system. 

FMC-18 OTI Applications & 

Bonds Fillable/Fileable Forms

251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

Will migrate to FMC-18 

system when deployed in FY 

2020.

OS electronic reading room and 

dockets filing system

251001 Future Future $236,825 Development begins FY 2020 

upon deployment of 

updated FMC-18 system.

Passenger Vessel Operator

(BCL system for application 

filing, processing, reports)

251001 Future Future Future To begin FY 2021 or later; 

awaiting management 

decision to develop this 

application.

PIERS Interactive

(BTA internal data store)

251001 Future Future Future To begin in 2021 or later.

Total IT consulting services (in 

$ per current fiscal year)

$1,197,000 $1,223,000 $836,825 Subsequent OIT 

deployments contingent on 

funding. 

In both FY 2019 and FY 2020, the Commission’s application modernization program covered by its 

IT Strategic Plan will focus on the back end development for one keystone application, the new 

FMC-18 Application Processing System (APS) (formally known as Form FMC-18). The application is

used by the public to apply for ocean freight forwarder and NVOCC licenses. Currently, the “back 

office” process is not automated and requires manual entry, review, and manipulation of the data 

received from applicants. The goal is to automate the entire process to cut redundancy, improve 

efficiency, and decrease processing time. This project will combine five disparate agency 

applications currently used to process license applications for OTIs, track the issuance and validity 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 27

of required surety bonds, collect and publish the location of carrier tariffs, and process renewals of 

OTI licenses and registrations. 

This initiative will also develop and implement enterprise data storage technology to be shared 

among four offices under two operational Bureaus. The FMC’s Bureau of Certification and 

Licensing has projected that business process collaboration will be significantly improved, 

duplication of data entry eliminated, and overall OTI application processing time will decrease. 

Against the backdrop of continuing year-on-year increases in the number of licensees and 

registrants (6,309 and growing); nearly 1,800 yearly OTI license and registration renewals under a 

new user-friendly processing system; and thousands of bonding transactions annually; IT 

automation offers the most potent, effective and efficient alternative to increase the FMC’s 

licensing workforce. New technology and programming will enable instant access to documents, 

data, and real-time status of applications, licenses and registrations, improving the quality of staff 

processing and decreasing the time required for management oversight.

Having successfully modernized the SERVCON system to a more secure and reliable platform, using 

IT contractor support, the FMC is pursuing the next phase in the automation of our systems -

development and implementation of an advanced licensing system. 

During FY 2020 and FY 2021, FMC also anticipates commencing programming to replace the 

Commission’s existing (primarily manually maintained) electronic reading room and document 

repository. This initiative will replace that portion of the FMC’s current online electronic reading 

room containing the activity logs of the public filings and documents issued by the Commission or 

FMC Administrative Law Judges in FMC formal and informal adjudicatory proceedings, 

rulemakings, petitions, fact findings, and investigations, with a new web-based information 

system. The new electronic reading room and dockets filing system will provide public filers the 

ability to submit documents directly into the system, and automatic posting to the appropriate 

docket/proceeding log for immediate access through the FMC’s public website. The new system 

will streamline internal processes by eliminating current manual steps for website posting and 

placement of filings in the current document repository, as well as streamline the internal 

circulation and review process for filed documents. These improvements will directly support the 

Commission’s aggressive performance metric requiring timely publication, as set forth in its 

agency-wide Strategic Plan. 

To ensure cybersecurity readiness and facilitate document management and online collaboration, 

the FMC has increasingly moved its mission-critical applications and data to a cloud-based 

computing infrastructure. This budget request supports: (1) cloud-based services that deliver FMC 

continuity of operations, disaster recovery, and secure backup routines; (2) agency-wide Voice 

Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) communications services in-office, on the Web, and through handheld devices; and (3) multiple enterprise licensed agreements essential to supporting remote and 

shared access by all employees for their day-to-day execution of the Commission’s mission. 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 28

Compliance with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST), and the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) 

monitoring requirements for network security demand near-continuous data protection. The 

agency invests in internal security tools to effectively monitor network operations, including 

integrity of files, password sufficiency, probing for open ports and other externally visible points of 

attack. Planned software investments will meet a number of government-wide requirements,

including mandatory cybersecurity and Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) 

requirements; government-wide MTIPS (Managed Trusted Internet Protocol Service) 

requirements; OMB Memorandum M-17-25, Reporting Guidance for Executive Order on 

Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and E.O. 13800; as well as OMB 

Memorandum M-17-12, Preparing for and Responding to a Breach of Personally Identifiable 

Information. 

The Commission’s planned electronic records modernization initiative will establish an agencywide policy framework and enterprise architecture for electronic records management and design. 

Improving operational efficiency and reducing costs by replacing paper-based records processes 

with automated workflow and document management solutions will be a major outcome of this 

initiative. The Commission’s enterprise architecture for electronic records management will ensure 

full compliance with the National Archives Records Administration (NARA) Managing Government 

Records Directive M-12-18.

Directive M-12-18 requires that agencies manage permanent records in an electronic format by 

December 31, 2019. This initiative will improve the FMC’s records storage and management 

services for Commission-owned paper and electronic records in accordance with OMB Circular A130, which requires that agencies incorporate records management requirements into their cloudbased storage and service solutions.

Data Accountability and Transparency

The FMC recognizes and supports a robust, integrated approach to using data to deliver on 

mission, serve customers, and manage resources. In addition to the IT modernizations described 

above, which will in part enhance public-facing FMC regulatory data, such as the Regulated Parties 

Index, the Commission’s efforts to leverage data include agency performance and accountability. 

The Commission’s published FY 2018 Performance and Accountability Report reflects an

unmodified (clean) financial audit. Further, the Commission participates in governmentwide 

tracking of its spending. The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act) was 

enacted May 9, 2014, to expand the reporting requirements on federal spending pursuant to the 

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006, which provides free public 

access to reliable information on federal spending. Reliable data allows the public to trust in the 

information that the government provides, and allows federal and elected officials to use that data 

to make informed decisions about government programs and projects. It also provides assurance 

to the public and those with oversight functions that agencies and programs are accountable for 

the federal funds spent.
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 29

The Commission contracts with the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS) (formerly the Bureau of 

Public Debt) to meet its federal financial reporting requirements. Through this cross-service 

provider, the FMC obtains a full range of financial management and accounting services, including 

DATA Act reporting services. 

In November 2017, the Commission’s Inspector General issued his DATA Act Audit, 2017, wherein 

he assessed, among other things, the Commission’s systems, processes, and internal controls in 

place over data management under the DATA Act and the completeness, timeliness, quality and 

accuracy of the financial data sampled. The IG determined that, with few exceptions, the FMC’s 

audited transactions were complete, accurate, timely, and of good quality.

People – Workforce for the 21st Century

The FMC has a small, dedicated workforce to carry out its mission. The FY 2020 budget request 

allocates 72.69 percent to salaries and benefits for these employees. Additionally, 1.02 percent of 

the budget request has been allocated to reward performance. The FMC has internally reviewed 

its organizational structure to cut waste and increase productivity. In FY 2018, the FMC began to 

implement a flattening of the organization in response to OMB Memorandum, M-17-22, 

Reforming the Federal Government and Reducing the Federal Workforce, removing management 

tiers and reallocating existing personnel to critical program needs in the future. As part of its 5-

year plan, future workforce needs will be tied directly to improving results to the American 

taxpayer. 

To ensure that the FMC attracts and retains qualified candidates with the skillsets necessary to 

provide exceptional service to the public, the FMC has taken concrete steps to maintain and 

improve employee satisfaction in the workplace. The FMC provides relevant training for job skills, 

leadership development, and employee professional growth. The agency also maximizes

workplace flexibilities and work/life balance. 

A cornerstone to the Commission’s efforts to improve the workplace is the Workforce 

Improvement Plan (WIP). Over the past 5 years, the WIP has identified and communicated the 

projects or initiatives the Senior Executives, working with the approval and guidance of the 

Chairman, have already or are considering undertaking to improve and support a positive and 

effective working environment and engaged employees. The WIP is updated annually to 

incorporate input from the entire agency, as well as marking the addition, revision, and 

completion of specific projects and initiatives. 

Examples of previous WIP Initiatives include: creation of an Employee Suggestion Program; 

creation of a Peer Recognition Program; creation of a Fitness Program; creation of an Employee 

Handbook; Commission-wide deployment of Crucial Conversations training; creation of Writing 

Effective Performance Narratives and Delivering Meaningful Performance Feedback; and 

modernization of the Telework Program. 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 30

The agency’s success in employee engagement is measured in part through the results of the 

anonymously conducted FEVS. Using the FEVS data, the Partnership for Public Service calculates

the annual rankings of the best places to work. The FMC moved into the top 10 Best Places to 

Work for Small Agencies, climbing from its position of 17th place in 2017 to 9th place in 2018. 

In addition, among small agencies, the FMC was recognized in 2017 by the Partnership as the Most 

Improved Small Agency over the Past Five Years, and jumped up 6 positions in the 2017 Best Places 

to Work rankings from 23rd to 17th among small agencies. This award highlighted the FMC’s 

sustained accomplishments over the five-year period, including recognition by the Partnership as 

the 2015 Most Improved Small Agency; and recognition by OPM for substantial positive increases 

in the Commission’s 2016 FEVS scores. 

The FMC’s most recent FEVS results for 2018 show the FMC continuing its positive momentum, 

and is a strong validation of the ongoing commitment and effort devoted to employee 

engagement. 

• There was an impressive 5 percentage point increase in the category Leaders Lead which 

follows upon the FMC’s increasing overall Employee Engagement Index score by 1 percent 

over last year’s score to 73 percent; 

• The number of items identified as Strengths increased from 47 to 56. (Items rated at 65 

percent positive or higher are considered strengths.); and

• No items were identified as Challenges. (Items rated 35 percent or more negative are 

considered a challenge.).

For the 2018 FEVS, the FMC included Agency-Specific Questions to further define and refine the 

Commission’s employee engagement strategy. Noteworthy employee feedback showed that:

• 67 percent believe that the Commission is headed in the right direction in its efforts to 

create a more positive working environment; and

• 67 percent feel FMC policies and practices are applied in a fair and equitable manner to all 

employees. 

Moving forward, the FMC will continue to build on these successes, guided by its Workplace 

Improvement Plan, to increase employee engagement and make the FMC the best small agency to 

work for in the Federal government.

Training

The FMC offers job and professional training opportunities to all employees. In FY 2018, the 

Commission launched a Leadership Development Program, offering leadership development to all 

grade level employees via a competitive process. The inaugural class of attendees began training 

in September 2018. 

The FMC also provides online training to all employees through a commercial vendor. Online 

training is a cost-effective way to ensure that appropriate training is available year-round. The 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 31

online offerings include classes in IT technical skills, project management, communication, 

leadership, management, and writing. 

Required training is provided on an as-needed or periodic basis, covering topics such as EEO, IT 

security, fraud risk, performance management, records management, whistleblower protections, 

and telework. The FMC also announces opportunities for employees to participate in ad hoc 

classes offered by the Small Agency Council. 

Work Flexibilities: Alternate/Flexible Schedules and Telework

The FMC offers employees alternative, flexible work schedules and telework opportunities, which 

increase employee productivity and improve work/life balance. In FY 2018, the FMC revised its 

policies to offer even greater flexibilities available under the government’s alternative work 

schedules program. Currently, 79 percent of FMC employees participate in an alternate work 

schedule. Approximately 67 percent of employees have a telework agreement, with 42 percent of 

staff teleworking episodically, and 24 percent of staff teleworking regularly. 

Initiatives and Efforts to Increase Efficiencies, Create Awareness, and 

Benefit the Taxpayer

Efficient Government — Reducing Regulatory Burden and Improving Necessary 

Information Collection 

As economic conditions alter the state of our trades, 

FMC regulations are revised to respond to new 

circumstances. Toward the goal of eliminating or 

reforming outdated regulations, the Commission 

designated its Managing Director as the Regulatory Reform Officer, who now leads an internal 

team to identify regulations that have become less relevant or are unduly burdensome. On 

January 12, 2018, the Commission published a Plan for Regulatory Reform of Existing FMC Rules 

(Regulatory Reform Plan), outlining the FMC’s plan to identify regulations that may be suitable for 

reform or elimination, and establishing a schedule to consider further review and action on each 

identified regulation. The Regulatory Reform Plan’s list of administrative and regulatory 

provisions, that when amended or eliminated, will make it easier and less costly for companies to 

do business, while permitting the FMC to maintain competition and integrity for America’s ocean 

supply chain. 

As part of the effort to reduce regulatory burden, the FMC issued a final rule effective August 22, 

2018, in Docket No. 17-10, Amendments to Regulations Governing NVOCC Negotiated Rate 

Arrangements and NVOCC Service Arrangements. The final rule reduced the regulatory burden 

associated with NVOCC Service Arrangements (NSAs) by eliminating the filing and publication 

requirement, and allowed NVOCCs more flexibility in creating and amending NVOCC Negotiated 

Rate Arrangements (NRAs). The flexibility granted by the Commission permits NVOCCs to include 

non-rate economic terms in an NRA. The regulatory relief granted by the Commission’s final rule 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 32

will result in making it easier to do business and less costly for the 5,000+ small businesses serving 

the shipping public as OTIs, and ensure that the FMC continues to meet its mission to protect the 

shipping public.

Regulatory reforms to the filing and processing of agreements, quarterly monitoring reports and 

agreement meeting minutes are currently before the Commission for decision. In making its 

recommendations, staff considered industry comments received in response to its Notice of 

Proposed Rulemaking in Docket No. 16-04, Ocean Common Carrier and Marine Terminal Operator 

Agreements Subject to the Shipping Act of 1984. The Commission anticipates that the agreements 

rulemaking initiative will be addressed during FY 2019. 

Regulatory reform has budget implications beyond the rulemaking stage. The FMC’s deregulatory 

efforts may require adopting process changes and technical solutions that need to be developed 

and deployed after the Commission votes on a rulemaking. For example, in offering relief to 

service contract filers and providing greater flexibilities in filing service contracts and expanding 

the time for technical corrections to be entered, as was done in Docket No. 16-05, Amendments to 

Regulations Governing Service Contract and NVOCC Service Arrangements, Final Rule, 82 FR 16288, 

at 16291-292 (April 4, 2017), the FMC staff needed to change procedures and update the 

Commission’s SERVCON filing system. In other instances, deregulation may permit the FMC to redeploy its workforce sooner to enhance performance in other critical program areas.

Guidance Documents

The Commission is committed to providing clear guidance to its regulated entities. The 

Commission acts through the formal rulemaking process rather than issuing statements of general 

applicability and future effect that are not regulatory actions. The formal rulemaking process 

includes issuing notices of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register and seeking public 

comments. Through the formal rulemaking process, the FMC relies on robust public participation. 

The FMC is not in the practice of issuing guidance documents in lieu of rulemakings. The 

Commission provides information related to the Commission’s regulations in guidance documents 

solely to assist the public with understanding the Shipping Act and the Commission’s regulations, 

not to expand the Commission’s rules through non-binding policy guidance. None of the guidance 

documents issued by the Commission are deemed significant under OMB Bulletin 07-02, Final 

Bulletin for Agency Good Guidance Practices (GGP Bulletin).

Improving Customer Experience with Federal Services

The FMC provides direct services to the public. Commissioners regularly interact with the industry 

and shippers. CADRS receives time-sensitive requests for assistance from shippers, carriers, and 

cruise line passengers. The Commission’s Area Representatives are located near key maritime 

ports (Los Angeles/Long Beach, Seattle, New York, Houston, New Orleans, and Miami) and operate 

as the front line for questions and issues facing the industry. The Office of the Secretary updates 

the FMC’s website and social media frequently, providing timely and important information to the 

public. The FMC responds to requests for information from the media and the public. Other 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 33

offices interact with the industry and the public by providing information and assistance with 

tariffs, licensing, and competition-related issues. The FMC works diligently to provide the public 

with exceptional customer service. 

By providing a hands-on experience, the public can speak with FMC staff on the telephone, but can 

also receive a plethora of information that the FMC makes available online 24/7. The FMC has 

made numerous investments to enhance filing documents and accessing information to date. The 

continuation of the FMC’s IT modernization efforts will allow carriers and OTIs to even more easily 

file documents and information with the FMC in the future. 

Sharing Quality Services 

The FMC uses shared services to efficiently accomplish some of its fiscal and personnel-related 

administrative functions. Each service is regularly reviewed to ensure that the best value is 

provided to the public. 

In FY 2018, the FMC and another similarly-sized agency, the Surface Transportation Board, created 

a job-sharing arrangement for the EEO Director position. This arrangement ensures that the FMC’s 

limited resources are used efficiently while maintaining solid support of our EEO principles to 

ensure that the FMC fully meets its responsibilities in affirmative employment and the appropriate 

handling of EEO complaints.

In addition to the shared EEO position, the Commission currently uses shared service providers for 

several financial and personnel-related functions as follows:

National Finance Center 

The National Finance Center (NFC) currently provides the Commission with several human 

resources services, including payroll and time and web-based attendance (T&A) transaction 

processing, managing employee debt, and employee separation payments. 

Office of Personnel Management

The Commission maintains an MOU with the OPM for hiring functions. The Commission’s Office of 

Human Resources provides the agency with full service hiring functions, including the recruitment, 

assessment, referral, and onboarding of candidates. Under the MOU, OPM assists with necessary 

services in cases where demand may exceed internal staffing capabilities. 

Bureau of the Fiscal Service

Due to its size, it is cost prohibitive for the FMC to internally maintain an integrated federal 

financial reporting system. The Commission contracts with the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS) to 

meet its federal financial reporting requirements. 

The FMC utilizes the Oracle platform services provided by the Administrative Resource Center 

(ARC) of BFS. Through this cross-service provider, the FMC obtains a full range of financial 

management and accounting services, including a financial management system platform, vendor 

and employee record maintenance and reporting services, budget processing, budget reporting, 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 34

payroll accounting services, accounts payable and accounts receivable services, and procurement 

system platform services, including purchase and fleet card services. Additionally, the FMC 

contracts for ARC Travel services, including E-Gov Travel Service, Travel Card Administration, 

Travel Payments, and Relocation Services, as well as Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 

2014 (DATA Act) reporting services.

Managing Real Property 

The FMC strives to be a good steward of government resources. In looking to better align the size 

of federal real property assets with actual program needs, the FMC continues to evaluate its space 

needs going forward. The FMC is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It also maintains a small 

field presence in six port locations. All FMC office space is leased through the General Services 

Administration (GSA). The FMC’s annual FY 2020 rent estimate for physical space is $3,239,000

and an additional $180,000 for estimated escalation of taxes for a total of $3,419,000. The FMC’s 

current headquarters lease, which comprises the greatest portion of the FMC’s rental cost, expires

in October 2022. 

The FMC expects the federal office space leasing process will be fully underway in FY 2020 for the 

FMC’s headquarters. GSA has recommended that the FMC complete a Program of Requirements 

(POR) as part of its planning process. The POR would include an organizational study, program and 

headcount data, special site building or facility requirements, special space requirements, and 

additional information to ensure the government is getting the correct space to meet agency 

needs. 

Although the Commission agrees as to the usefulness of expert help in this process, appropriate 

FMC staff will be fully engaged in this function and will complete an internally generated POR. 

Moving forward, the FMC will balance additional costs for change management support with the 

likely benefits required, should the FMC’s space needs determination substantially impact its 

current footprint or necessitate relocating the FMC’s headquarters.

User Fees

The FMC charges user fees for services as required by Section 8 of OMB Circular A-25. The FMC

overhauled its fee system effective on October 1, 2016. At that time, the Commission accurately 

aligned fees with the costs associated with each provided service. This resulted in increased fees 

for certain services, such as filing agreements. It lowered fees for items such as Freedom of 

Information Act (FOIA) requests and clerical error corrections on service contracts and NSAs, and 

repealed 4 fees that were no longer required.

Under Docket No. 18-08, Update of Existing User Fees, the Commission completed its biennial 

review of user fees, with new user fees effective January 2019.
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 35

Appendices

Appendix A: Resource Allocation by Program

Appendix B: FTEs and Positions Allocation by Program

Appendix C: Obligations by Object Class

Appendix D: Relationship of Obligations to Outlays 

Appendix E: Performance Measures by Strategic Goals

Appendix F: Workload Summary

Appendix G: IT Resources Statements

Appendix H: OIG Certification
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 36

Appendix A: Resource Allocation by Program

The chart below details the Commission’s current two programs, Operational and Administrative, 

and Office of the Inspector General. Previously, the FMC’s budget was organized by four 

programs. While no program areas were removed, the current program allocation fully describes 

the funding structure within the Commission. 

Strategic Goal # 1 Strategic Goal # 2

Maintain an 

efficient and 

competitive 

international 

ocean 

transportation 

system

Protect the 

public from 

unlawful, unfair 

and deceptive 

practices and 

resolve shipping 

disputes

Operational and Administrative

 Office of the Chairman $1,236,650.21 $1,303,195.38 $778,034.73 $778,034.73 $1,556,069.45 $319,419.24 $252,874.07

 Office of the Commissioners $787,392.02 $1,856,365.43 $921,230.10 $921,230.10 $1,842,460.19 $1,055,068.17 ($13,905.24)

 Office of the Secretary $1,153,988.14 $1,233,490.49 $244,023.52 $934,021.07 $1,178,044.59 $24,056.45 ($55,445.90)

 Library $89,157.92 $96,604.57 $52,248.02 $52,248.02 $104,496.04 $15,338.12 $7,891.47

 Office of the General Counsel $2,038,747.24 $2,200,042.35 $1,133,570.57 $1,133,570.57 $2,267,141.13 $228,393.89 $67,098.78

 Ethics $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

 Office of Administrative Law Judges $855,359.22 $940,950.82 $478,074.55 $478,074.55 $956,149.09 $100,789.87 $15,198.27

 Office of Equal Employment Opportunity $86,449.42 $111,539.64 $74,793.38 $74,793.38 $149,586.75 $63,137.33 $38,047.11

 Office of the Managing Director $2,079,304.54 $2,473,957.75 $551,432.27 $1,606,346.18 $2,157,778.45 $78,473.91 ($316,179.30)

 Office of Consumer Affairs & Dispute Resolution Svcs $1,434,386.07 $1,221,150.35 $0.00 $991,831.57 $991,831.57 ($442,554.50) ($229,318.78)

 Bureau of Trade Analysis $3,642,620.04 $3,869,142.90 $2,420,711.14 $1,610,239.73 $4,030,950.87 $388,330.83 $161,807.97

 Bureau of Certification and Licensing $2,613,905.64 $2,710,838.01 $0.00 $2,703,721.13 $2,703,721.13 $89,815.49 ($7,116.88)

 Bureau of Enforcement $1,804,242.51 $1,473,548.42 $0.00 $1,692,288.15 $1,692,288.15 ($111,954.36) $218,739.73

 Area Representatives $1,606,535.67 $1,568,944.91 $368,778.74 $1,475,114.94 $1,843,893.68 $237,358.01 $274,948.77

 Office of Information Technology $4,306,713.25 $3,381,688.69 $1,641,298.04 $1,641,298.04 $3,282,596.08 ($1,024,117.17) ($99,092.61)

 Office of Human Resources $857,356.17 $876,146.76 $186,314.86 $745,259.43 $931,574.29 $74,218.12 $55,427.53

 Office of Budget and Finance $1,025,640.41 $915,933.68 $457,680.93 $457,681.31 $915,362.23 ($110,278.18) ($571.45)

 Office of Management Services $820,847.70 $815,001.05 $454,448.66 $454,448.66 $908,897.31 $88,049.61 $93,896.26

Operational and Administrative $26,439,296.17 $27,048,541.20 $9,762,639.47 $17,750,201.53 $27,512,841.00 $1,073,544.83 $464,299.80

Office of the Inspector General $381,875.96 $441,458.80 $48,715.90 $438,443.10 $487,159.00 $105,283.04 $45,700.20

Totals $26,821,172.13 $27,490,000.00 $9,811,355.37 $18,188,644.63 $28,000,000.00 $1,178,827.87 $510,000.00

The Request by Strategic Goal and Program chart identifies the funding level requested for FY20 broken out by program / office and strategic goal. The chart identifies FY20 changes over 

the FY19 estimated funding requirements.

Resource Allocation by Program

FY 2020

Program/Office

FY 2018 

Actual

FY 2019 

Estimate

FY 2020 Request

FY 2020 

Request

Changes From 

FY 2018 Actual

Difference From 

FY 2019 Estimate 
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 37

Appendix B: FTEs and Positions Allocation by Program

Program/Office FTEs Positions* FTEs Positions FTEs Positions FTEs Positions

Headquarters 107.74 119.00 115.52 120.00 119.00 119.00 3.48 (1.00)

Area Representatives 8.18 10.00 7.58 10.00 9.00 10.00 1.42 0.00

Agency Total 115.92 129.00 123.10 130.00 128.00 129.00 4.90 (1.00)

Operatioinal and Adminstrative

 Office of the Chairman 5.00 5.00 4.92 5.00 5.00 5.00 0.08 0.00

 Office of the Commissioners 3.04 8.00 7.50 8.00 8.00 8.00 0.50 0.00

 Office of the Secretary 6.90 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 0.00 0.00

 Library 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

 Office of the General Counsel 9.08 9.00 9.46 10.00 10.00 10.00 0.54 0.00

 Ethics 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

 Office of Administrative Law Judges 3.74 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 0.00 0.00

 Office of Equal Employment Opportunity 0.73 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.00 0.00

 Office of the Managing Director 8.56 8.00 8.25 9.00 9.00 9.00 0.75 0.00

 Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Svcs 6.98 8.00 5.17 6.00 5.00 5.00 (0.17) (1.00)

 Bureau of Trade Analysis 17.43 19.00 19.71 20.00 20.00 20.00 0.29 0.00

 Bureau of Certification and Licensing 16.15 17.00 16.17 17.00 16.00 16.00 (0.17) (1.00)

 Bureau of Enforcement 8.71 8.00 7.83 8.00 9.00 9.00 1.17 1.00

 Area Representatives 8.18 10.00 7.58 10.00 9.00 10.00 1.42 0.00

 Office of Information Technology 7.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 0.00 0.00

 Office of Human Resources 4.53 5.00 4.75 5.00 5.00 5.00 0.25 0.00

 Office of Budget and Finance 5.00 5.00 4.88 5.00 5.00 5.00 0.12 0.00

 Office of Management Services 3.64 5.00 4.88 5.00 5.00 5.00 0.12 0.00

Operational and Administrative 114.65 127.00 121.10 128.00 126.00 127.00 4.90 (1.00)

Office of the Inspector General 1.27 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 0.00 0.00

Total FTEs 115.92 129.00 123.10 130.00 128.00 129.00 4.90 (1.00)

* Denotes estimated positions on September 30 @ 9/30/2018.

Actual Estimate** Request From FY 2019

FTEs and Positions by Program

FY 2018 - FY 2020

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 Difference
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 38

Appendix C: Obligations by Object Class

FY 2018 FY2019 FY2020

Category Actual Estimate Request

 (11.1) Full-time Permanent Employees $13,879,725.15 $15,352,000.00 $15,563,000.00 $211,000.00

 (11.3) Part-time and Temporary Employees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

 (11.7) Performance Awards $265,269.00 $0.00 $265,000.00 $265,000.00

 (12.1) Personnel Benefits $4,172,430.74 $4,730,000.00 $4,810,000.00 $80,000.00

Total Personnel Compensation & Benefits $18,317,424.89 $20,082,000.00 $20,638,000.00 $556,000.00

 (21.0) Travel and Transportation of Personnel $153,702.99 $250,000.00 $274,000.00 $24,000.00

 (22.0) Transportation of Things (Express Mail) $13,000.00 $17,000.00 $17,000.00 $0.00

 (23.1) Rental Payments to GSA $3,427,460.70 $3,367,000.00 $3,419,000.00 $52,000.00

 (23.5) Telephones (Local, Long Distance and Cellular) $249,528.77 $211,000.00 $211,000.00 $0.00

 (23.8) Postage $4,962.29 $5,000.00 $2,000.00 ($3,000.00)

 (24.0) Printing $83,063.41 $120,000.00 $63,000.00 ($57,000.00)

 (25.1) Consulting $1,262,238.80 $821,000.00 $897,825.00 $76,825.00

 (25.2) Purchase of Goods and Services from Commercial Accounts $749,550.37 $578,462.00 $575,720.00 ($2,742.00)

 (25.3) Purchase of Goods and Services from Government Accounts $1,596,180.91 $1,320,538.00 $1,547,455.00 $226,917.00

 (25.7) Equipment Maintenance $11,746.90 $201,000.00 $20,000.00 ($181,000.00)

 (26.0) Supplies and Materials $72,992.17 $155,000.00 $125,000.00 ($30,000.00)

 (31.0) Hardware and Software $879,319.93 $362,000.00 $210,000.00 ($152,000.00)

Travel and Administrative Expenses $8,503,747.24 $7,408,000.00 $7,362,000.00 ($46,000.00)

Total Budget Authority $26,821,172.13 $27,490,000.00 $28,000,000.00 $510,000.00

The Obligations by Object Class chart identifies the Commission's actual funding expenses of 2018 and the estimated funding requirements for the 

FMC to complete its mission in FY19 and FY20. Costs are reported by object codes.

Travel and Administrative Expenses

Obligations by Object Class

FY 2018 - FY 2020

Rent, Communications and Utilities

Personnel Compensation and Benefits

Difference 

From FY 2019
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 39

Appendix D: Relationship of Obligations to Outlays

Program*

Operational and Administrative

Inspector General

Unobligated

 Budget Authority

 Obligations

 Outlays**

 Outlay Rate (Obligation to Outlay)***

 Obligation Rate

Total outlays for fiscal year 2013 disbursed in fiscal year 2018

Total outlays for fiscal year 2014 disbursed in fiscal year 2018

Total outlays for fiscal year 2015 disbursed in fiscal year 2018

Total outlays for fiscal year 2016 disbursed in fiscal year 2018

Total outlays for fiscal year 2017 disbursed in fiscal year 2018

Total outlays for fiscal year 2018

 Outlays

** Represents Outlays for FY 2018 as of 09/30/18.

*** Represents the percentage of FY 2018 obligations that were disbursed during FY 2018.

The Relationship of Obligations to Outlays identifies the actual outlay percentage for FY18. The chart also depicts the estimated 

outlay expenses for FY19 and FY20.

$0.00

$501.90

$247,036.97

$3,912,229.49

$22,729,549.91

$26,889,318.27

Gross Outlays for FY 2018

$0.00

* The FMC is reducing the number of reportable programs, projects and activities (PPAs) to two: Operational and Administrative, 

and Inspector General. This is a reduction from four (4) PPAs reported in prior years’ budget documents. The Inspector General's 

budget is retained as a separate reportable program in accordance with the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.

84.74% 84.74% 84.74%

97.57% 100.00% 100.00%

$26,821,172.13 $27,490,000.00 $28,000,000.00

$22,729,549.91 $23,296,346.78 $23,728,545.28

$668,827.87 $0.00 $0.00

$27,490,000.00 $27,490,000.00 $28,000,000.00

$26,439,296.17 $27,048,541.20 $27,512,841.00

$381,875.96 $441,458.80 $487,159.00

Relationship of Obligations to Outlays

FY 2018 - FY 2020

FY 2018 

Actual

FY 2019 

Estimate

FY 2020 

Request
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 40

Appendix E: Performance Measures by Strategic Goals

Summary of Strategic Goals, Objectives, and Performance Measures

STRATEGIC GOAL 1: Maintain a competitive and reliable international ocean transportation supply system

OBJECTIVE 1: Ensure that actions under filed agreements do not result in unreasonable increases in transportation 

costs and/or unreasonable decreases in transportation services.

Performance Measure: Percentage of FMC-filed agreements 

reviewed at Commission level which are modified through 

negotiation to mitigate anticompetitive effects.

2018 

Target

2019 

Target

2020 

Target

2021 

Target

2022 

Target

50% 51% 52% 53% 54%

2018 Actual: 100%

Performance Measure: Percentage of agreement monitoring 

reports reviewed within 30 days of receipt to detect actionable 

information, including market-distorting behavior.

2018 

Target

2019 

Target

2020 

Target

2021 

Target

2022 

Target

65% 66% 67% 68% 69%

2018 Actual: 89%

STRATEGIC GOAL 2: Protect the public from unlawful, unfair, and deceptive ocean transportation practices

OBJECTIVE 2.1: Identify and take action to end unlawful, unfair, and deceptive practices.

Performance Measure: Percentage of enforcement actions taken 

under the Shipping Act successfully resolved through favorable 

judgment, settlement, issuance of default judgment, or 

compliance letter or notice.

2018 

Target

2019 

Target

2020 

Target

2021 

Target

2022 

Target

77.5% 77.5% 77.5% 77.5% 77.5%

2018 Actual: 85.8%

OBJECTIVE 2.2: Prevent public harm through licensing and financial responsibility requirements.

Performance Measure: Percentage of decisions on completed OTI 

license applications rendered within 60 calendar days of receipt, 

facilitating lawful operation of OTIs with appropriate character and 

experience requirements.

2018 

Target

2019 

Target

2020 

Target

2021 

Target

2022 

Target

75% 75% 75% 75% 75%

2018 Actual: 97%

Performance Measure: Percentage of PVOs examined during the 

year that have the full financial coverage required by regulation to 

protect against loss from non-performance or casualty.

2018 

Target

2019 

Target

2020 

Target

2021 

Target

2022 

Target

95% 95% 95% 95% 95%

2018 Actual: 99%

OBJECTIVE 2.3: Enhance public awareness of agency resources, remedies, and regulatory requirements through 

education and outreach.

Performance Measure: Percentage of Commission issuances, 

orders and reports available through the Commission’s website 

within 5 working days of receipt.

2018 

Target

2019 

Target

2020 

Target

2021 

Target

2022 

Target

84% 84% 86% 88% 90%

2018 Actual: 97%

OBJECTIVE 2.4: Impartially and timely resolve international shipping disputes through alternative dispute resolution and 

adjudication.

Performance Measure: Percentage of ombuds and ADR matters 

closed within 6 months of request for assistance.

2018 

Target

2019 

Target

2020 

Target

2021 

Target

2022 

Target

60.5% 61% 63% 65% 67%

2018 Actual: 97%

Performance Measure: Percentage of formal complaints or 

Commission-initiated orders of investigation completed within 2 

years of filing or Commission initiation.

2018 

Target

2019 

Target

2020 

Target

2021 

Target

2022 

Target

64% 66% 68% 70% 72%

2018 Actual: 38%
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 41

Appendix F: Workload Summary 

Workload Summary

Workload Category

On Hand 

9/30/2017

FY 2018 Actual FY 2019 Estimate FY 2020 Estimate

Received Output Received Output Received Output

Formal Proceedings (OALJ) 10 4 5 10 10 10 10

Informal Proceedings (OALJ) 4 3 4 5 5 5 5

Decisions, Reports, in Docketed Proceedings 

before the Commission 13 24 32 25 25 25 25

Federal Register Notices 0 85 85 100 100 100 100

FOIA Requests 5 26 28 28 28 28 28

Ombuds 45 475 489 500 500 500 500

ADR Matters (formal dockets and requests) 8 9 7 15 13 15 15

Legislation* 0 65 65 65 65 65 65

Legal Opinions, Recommendations, Case 

Summaries, Decisions, and Final Orders 5 195 195 195 195 195 195

Audits and Monitoring Activities (BOE) 15 146 130 225 225 230 230

OTI Applicant and License Checks (BOE) 0 725 725 655 655 655 655

Formal Proceedings (BOE) 2 2 2 2 2 3 3

Civil Penalty Cases 10 28 14 24 22 25 25

Agreements Filed 5 193 180 180 182 175 175

Agreement Reports 64 1,848 1,783 1,337 1,381 1,377 1,397

Service Contracts 0 47,962 47,962 50,000 50,000 49,000 49,000

Service Contract Amendments 0 772,803 772,803 780,500 780,500 764,890 764,890

FMC-1 Form 0 1,248 1,248 1,475 1,475 1,500 1,500

OTI Applications – NEW 66 342 364 346 346 346 346

OTI Business Change Applications 61 359 341 350 350 350 350

OTI License Renewals 0 1,396 1,396 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500

Foreign NVOCC Registrations (New, Amended 

and Renewal) 2 288 288 460 460 460 460

OTI License Terminations 0 317 317 320 320 320 320

OTI Bond Transactions** 0 2,187 2,187 2,266 2,266 2,266 2,266

Passenger Vessel Applications (Performance) 6 19 20 17 17 18 18

Passenger Vessel Applications (Casualty) 9 11 14 17 17 18 18

Passenger Vessel Certificates (Performance) 

Reissued*** 0 137 137 72 72 0 0

*This number does not reflect the Commission’s total legislative workflow, just matters in which OGC is consulted.

**Includes OTI bond terminations, bond riders, and new or replacement bonds. 

***Commencing in FY 2018, PVO Certificates (Performance) will be reissued every 5 years.
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 42

Appendix G: IT Resources Statements

Statement of the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Agency Official for Privacy

As Managing Director, I serve as both the Federal Maritime Commission’s Chief Financial Officer 

(CFO) and Senior Agency Official for Privacy (SAOP). The FMC’s planning and oversight efforts, in 

conjunction with strong fiscal management principles, ensures that necessary IT investments are 

funded to accomplish the Commission’s mission with time-saving technology and innovations, 

while maintaining critical information security. 

The FMC is a small agency of approximately 125 employees. Due to the small size of the agency 

and a limited budget, all investments are closely reviewed by myself, the Deputy Managing 

Director, Chief Information Officer, and the Director, Office of Information Technology. The CIO

and I have reviewed all planned IT support for major programs and significant increases and 

decreases in IT resources reflected in this budget to ensure critical functionality and security is 

maintained. The Chief Information Officer and I approve of the IT investments detailed in this

submission. 

The Commission safeguards personally identifiable information (PII) in its records. In my role as 

SAOP, I have reviewed the IT investments portion of the budget request to ensure that privacy 

requirements, as well as any associated costs, are explicitly identified and included with respect to 

any IT resources that will be used to create, collect, use, process, store, maintain, disseminate, 

disclose, or dispose of PII. 

The FMC will continue to maintain the highest IT management standards. 

/s/

Karen V. Gregory

Chief Financial Officer and

Managing Director
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 43

Statement of the Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The FMC’s planning for IT investments protects the integrity of Commission data and provides

tools for staff and external users to maximize efficiency. The provided IT investments budget 

identifies the planned IT support for major programs at the Commission. As CIO, I have

collaborated with the CFO on the IT budget for this FY 2020 submission. I have reviewed and 

approved the cost estimates and acquisition plans included in this submission. In my role as CIO, I 

have provided guidance to the Managing Director in identifying crucial IT resources for strategic 

goals and objectives. 

The FMC is not subject to the requirements of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition 

Reform Act (FITARA) (P.L. 113-291). 

/s/

Anthony Haywood

Chief Information Officer
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 44

IT TABLE

IT Systems to be Updated

Unique 

Investment 

Identifier

FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 Notes

SERVCON (Update of service 

contract filing system) 251001 Deployed Deployed Deployed Completed in FY 2018

Electronic Records Initiative 251001 $100,000 $100,000 Deployed Projected completion in 

FY2019

FMC-18 Application

FMC-18 OTI License & 

Registration Application 

(back end

251001

$1,097,000

includes related 

applications

$1,123,000

includes related 

applications

$600,000

includes 

related 

applications

Internal workflow processes 

to be integrated with publicfacing front end, and with 

related applications below

E-bonds (Electronic Bonds) 

Filing System 251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

E-filing system for OTI surety 

cos. to be developed in 

conjunction with FMC-18.

FMC-1 Filing System 251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

Stand-alone FMC-1 tariff 

locator will be integrated 

into updated FMC-18.

Regulated Persons Index 

(RPI) (Data Store integration) 251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

Stand-alone RPI will be 

integrated into updated 

FMC-18 system.

FMC-18 License Renewal for 

OTI Licensees

251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

Developed in production 

system, will migrate to new 

FMC-18(OTIS) system when 

deployed. 

FMC-65 Registration 

Renewal for Foreign-Based 

OTIs

251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

Developed in production 

system, will migrate to new 

FMC-18(OTIS) system when 

deployed. 

FMC-18 OTI Applications & 

Bonds Fillable/Fileable Forms 251001 In development In development Testing and 

deployment

Will migrate to FMC-18 

system when deployed in FY 

2020.

OS electronic reading room and 

dockets filing system 251001 Future Future $236,825

Development begins FY 2020 

upon deployment of 

updated FMC-18 system.

Passenger Vessel Operator

(BCL system for application 

filing, processing, reports)

251001 Future Future Future

To begin FY 2021 or later;

awaiting management

decision to develop this

application.

PIERS Interactive

(BTA internal data store) 251001 Future Future Future To begin in 2021 or later.

.

Total IT consulting services (in 

$ per current fiscal year) $1,197,000 $1,223,000 $836,825

Subsequent OIT 

deployments contingent on 

funding.
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 45

Major IT Investment Initiatives

Title

Unique 

Investment 

Identifier

2018 (PY) 2019 (CY) 2020 (BY)

IT Systems Hardware and Network Infrastructure

Servers 310302 $20,000 Reallocated to Cloud Computing

Desktop Computers -- -- -- --

Laptop Computers 310302 $410,000 -- --

Data Storage 310302 $20,000 Reallocated to Cloud Computing

Network Devices 310302 $32,000 $5,000 $5,000

Backup Devices & Media 310302 $10,000 Reallocated to Cloud Computing

Server Virtualization Equipment 310202 -- Reallocated to Cloud Computing

A/V Equipment -- -- -- --

New Virtual Private Network Router 252004 $18,000 -- --

Datacenter Environmental and UPS 310902 $30,000 -- --

IT Disaster Recovery 251001 $60,000 Reallocated to Cloud Computing

Maintenance

IT Infrastructure 257102 -- -- --

A/V Equipment 257101 $15,000 -- --

Systems, Applications, and Services*

Azure, Office 365, SharePoint 310202 $30,000 $30,000 $45,000

Desktop OS Management Software 260201 $15,000 $15,000 $20,000

Enterprise Agreement/Software Assurance 252004 $25,000 $30,000 $40,000

Cloud Computing Services and Hosting 252004 $40,000 $50,000 $148,000

IT Security Support Services 251001 $15,000 $15,000 $35,000

Telecommunications

MTIPS, VOIP, and Data (CenturyLink) 233301 $149,972 $149,972 $149,972

Mobile Communications Services 233304 $37,500 $38,500 $39,500

Data links for Regional Offices (T1) 233301 $35,400 $36,300 $37,200

CDM 253001 -- -- 18,765

TOTAL $962,872 $369,772 $538,437,
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 46

Appendix H: OIG Certification

Office of Inspector General

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20573

March 11, 2019

The Inspector General Reform Act (Pub. L. 110-149) was signed by President George W. Bush on 

October 14, 2008. Section 6(f)(1) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, 5 U.S.C. app. 3, was

amended to require certain specifications concerning Office of Inspector General (OIG) budget

submissions each fiscal year (FY).

Each inspector general (IG) is required to transmit a budget request to the head of the establishment 

or designated Federal entity to which the IG reports specifying:

• the aggregate amount of funds requested for the operations of the OIG,

• the portion of this amount requested for OIG training, including a certification from the 

IG that the amount requested satisfies all OIG training requirements for the fiscal year, 

and

• the portion of this amount necessary to support the Council of the Inspectors General on

Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE).

The head of each establishment or designated Federal entity, in transmitting a proposed budget to 

the President for approval, shall include:

• an aggregate request for the OIG,

• the portion of this aggregate request for OIG training,

• the portion of this aggregate request for support of the CIGIE, and

• any comments of the affected IG with respect to the proposal.

The President shall include in each budget of the U.S. Government submitted to Congress:

• a separate statement of the budget estimate submitted by each IG,

• the amount requested by the President for each OIG,

• the amount requested by the President for training of OIGs,

• the amount requested by the President for support of the CIGIE, and

• any comments of the affected IG with respect to the proposal if the IG concludes that the 

budget submitted by the President would substantially inhibit the IG from performing 

duties of the OIG.
FY 2020 Budget Justification

Federal Maritime Commission 47

Following the requirements as specified above, the Federal Maritime Commission

(FMC) Inspector General submits the following information relating to the OIG’s requested

budget for FY 2020:

• the aggregate budget request for the operations of the OIG, to include overhead, is $487,159,

• the portion of this amount needed for OIG training is $3,500, and

• the portion of this amount needed to support the CIGIE is $1,263.

I certify as the Inspector General of the FMC that the amount requested satisfies the needs of the 

OIG for FY 2020, including all FMC OIG training requirements, and resources to support CIGIE.

Jon Hatfield, Inspector General

Federal Maritime Commission