Federal Maritime Commission

Plan for Regulatory Reform of Existing FMC Rules

Updated: November 23, 2020

The Regulatory Reform Task Force, with the advice of the Commission and public input, adopted the Plan 

for Regulatory Reform of Existing FMC Rules (the Plan) on December 7, 2017. The Plan accounts for 

current Commission regulatory reform priorities and actions and is updated periodically to reflect ongoing 

progress. The Plan is voluntarily issued pursuant to Executive Order 13777, Enforcing the Regulatory 

Agenda, directing agencies to evaluate and identify regulations that are outdated, unnecessary, ineffective, 

eliminate jobs or inhibit job creation, impose costs that exceed benefits, or otherwise interfere with 

regulatory reform initiatives.

46 CFR 

Part

Heading Action Review Timeframe 

(Calendar years)

Part 531

Part 532

NVOCC Service 

Arrangements

NVOCC Negotiated 

Rate Arrangements

Review and modify to remove outdated, ineffective, or 

unnecessary regulations or costs.

Status: Completed. Final 

Rule effective 8/22/2018.

Part 506 Civil Monetary Penalty 

Inflation Adjustment

Review and update consistent with OMB guidance. Annual updates required 

by January 15.

Status: In progress. 

Last completed 1/2/2020.

Part 535 Ocean Common Carrier 

and Marine Terminal 

Operator Agreements 

Subject to the Shipping 

Act of 1984

Review and modify to remove outdated, ineffective, or 

unnecessary regulations or costs.

Status: Currently under 

review. 

Part 504 Procedures for 

Environmental Policy 

Analysis

Review and update consistent with NEPA and CEQ 

guidance.

Status: Pending 

Commission consideration 

of further staff 

recommendations.

Part 515 Licensing, Financial 

Responsibility 

Requirements, and 

General Duties for 

Ocean Transportation 

Intermediaries

Review and modify to reflect changes to automation of 

the OTI bonding procedures.

Review and modify Commission processes for the 

denial, suspension, and revocation of OTI licenses. 

Status: Completed. 

Final Rule effective 

12/16/2019. 

Completed. Final Rule 

effective 3/2/2020.

Part 540 Passenger Vessel 

Financial Responsibility

Review for modification or repeal. Status: Currently under 

review.

Advance Notice of 

Proposed Rulemaking,

arising under Fact Finding

30, issued 10/7/2020.

Part 520 Carrier Automated 

Tariffs

Review and modify to remove outdated, ineffective, or 

unnecessary regulations or costs.

Status: Currently under 

review.

Part 525 Marine Terminal 

Operator Schedules

Review and modify to remove outdated, ineffective, or 

unnecessary regulations or costs.

Status: Currently under 

review.
Federal Maritime Commission

Plan for Regulatory Reform of Existing FMC Rules

Updated: November 23, 2020

The Regulatory Reform Task Force, with the advice of the Commission and public input, adopted the Plan 

for Regulatory Reform of Existing FMC Rules (the Plan) on December 7, 2017. The Plan accounts for 

current Commission regulatory reform priorities and actions and is updated periodically to reflect ongoing 

progress. The Plan is voluntarily issued pursuant to Executive Order 13777, Enforcing the Regulatory 

Agenda, directing agencies to evaluate and identify regulations that are outdated, unnecessary, ineffective, 

eliminate jobs or inhibit job creation, impose costs that exceed benefits, or otherwise interfere with 

regulatory reform initiatives.

Part 530 Service Contracts Review and modify to remove outdated, ineffective, or 

unnecessary regulations or costs.

Status: Completed. 

Final Rule issued on 

6/25/2020 in Docket No. 

20-02, eliminating the 

requirement that ocean 

carriers publish a concise 

statement of essential 

terms with each service 

contract. 

On 4/27/2020, the 

Commission granted 

temporary relief in 

Docket No. 20-06, 

exempting carriers from 

filing original service 

contracts with the FMC 

prior to movement of 

cargo. Permanent relief is 

under consideration.

Part 501 The Federal Maritime 

Commission – General 

Update administrative and organizational regulations to 

conform with recent agency changes. 

Status: 2021 review and 

modify.