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Federal Maritime Commission

2019 Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan

Executive Summary

First constituted over 100 years ago as the United States Shipping Board, the Federal Maritime Commission 

(FMC, Commission, or agency) was authorized in its current form as an independent Executive Branch 

agency in 1961. The Commission’s mission is to ensure a competitive and reliable international ocean 

transportation system that supports the U.S. economy and protects the public from unfair and deceptive 

practices. The Commission is responsible for the regulation of oceanborne transportation in the foreign 

commerce of the United States for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers, and consumers. 

The Commission is directed by five Commissioners appointed for staggered five-year terms, with one 

Commissioner designated by the President to serve as Chairman. The Chairman is the Chief Executive and 

Administrative Officer of the agency. 

The principal statutes administered by the Commission, codified in Title 46 of the U.S. Code at sections 

40101 through 44106, are:

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

Act), 46 U.S.C. §§ 40101-41309;

• the Foreign Shipping Practices Act of 1988 (FSPA), 46 U.S.C. §§ 42301-42307;

• section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (1920 Act), 46 U.S.C. §§ 42101-42109; and

• sections 2 and 3 of Pub. L. No. 89-777, 80 Stat. 1350, 46 U.S.C. §§ 44101-44106.

The Federal Maritime Commission strives to comply with relevant federal environmental and energy 

statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders. Because the FMC is a small agency with no real property assets, 

our focus is to incorporate sustainable practices into our day-to-day business operations. For example, 

many FMC publications are increasingly made available through our website, and hard copy production of 

publications has been reduced significantly over the last few years. 

The FMC is committed to pursuing and achieving sustainability goals and targets. Management and staff 

seek to achieve sustainability targets in areas such as green purchasing, reduction in travel and use of leased 

vehicles, use of public transit, flexible work schedules, and telework. The FMC maintains existing programs 

related to recycling of paper, glass, plastics, and toner cartridges; use of energy efficient lighting; and 

conservation of water in its General Services Administration-leased headquarters offices at 800 North 

Capitol Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

The Commission does not own any real property or vehicles. Headquarters offices are co-located with 

several other tenants in a privately-owned building leased by the GSA, and the Area Representatives are also 

located in GSA-leased space. Acting solely as a tenant, the Commission is unable to identify GHG scope 1, 

2 and 3 emissions except for those generated by employee business travel and commuting. 
FMC Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan – Executive Summary FY 2019

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At the mid-point of FY 2019, 70% of employees (80 of 114 currently onboard) were participating in the 

Federal transit benefits program. Employees are encouraged to make use of telework, and/or a compressed 

work schedule, which can further reduce commuting expenses and emissions. During FY 2018, there were 

87 employee telework agreements in place, 65 employees teleworked at least once during the year, and of 

those, 32 had regularly scheduled telework.

Business travel is limited to that which is required to support mission objectives. Commission staff must 

travel to fulfill the agency’s statutory responsibilities, and participate in local or regional outreach programs, 

industry educational forums, dispute resolution meetings, or training. The Commission remains dedicated 

to reducing Level 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions consistent with fulfilling its mission responsibilities.

SCOPE 3 GHG TARGET UNITS Base Year

FY 2008 FY 2017 FY 2018

% Change 

FY 2008 –

FY 2018

% Change 

FY 2018 –

FY 2017

Business Ground Travel mtCO2e 11 4 4 -63.6% 0%

Business Air Travel Kg CO2 

equivalent 127,152 94,647 100,351 -21.1% +6.0%

Increases in CO2 equivalents from FY 2017 to FY 2018 reflect increased international air travel by the 

FMC’s Commissioners and accompanying senior staff. International travel is required for bilateral 

government consultations with significant trading partners and presentations at global liner shipping 

conferences regarding operational impact of carrier alliances, competition and cooperation in the ocean 

shipping industry.

The FMC currently leases 6 vehicles from GSA: 1 small pickup truck, 3 compact cars, and 2 sub-compact

cars. Three of the vehicles are hybrid electric and 3 have standard gasoline engines. To the extent possible, 

the FMC has made a commitment to transition all leased vehicles from gasoline to gasoline hybrid electric

vehicles as their lease terms expire. The data for these vehicles is reported in the GSA’s FAST Data Center.

Peter J. King

Chief Sustainability Officer

OMD@fmc.gov / 202-523-5800