Agency information collection activities: Submission for OMB review; comment request,

[Federal Register: June 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 116)]

[Notices]

[Page 33062-33063]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr17jn98-59]

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

Notice of Submission for OMB Review and Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the information collection requests abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The submissions to OMB request continued approval (extensions with no changes) for OMB No. 3072-0012 (Licensing of Ocean Freight Forwarders and Form FMC-18); OMB No. 3072-0028 (Foreign Commerce Anti-Rebating Certification); and OMB No. 3072-0053 (Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers Surety Bonds). Previously, comments were solicited by notice published on March 26, 1998, (63 FR 14713-14714). The FMC did not receive any comments in response to that notice.

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

ADDRESSES: Send comments to:

Edward P. Walsh, Managing Director, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20573, (Telephone: (202) 523-5800)

and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Ed Clarke, Desk Officer for FMC, 725 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Send requests for copies of the current OMB clearances to: George D. Bowers, Director, Office of Information Resources Management, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20573, (Telephone: (202) 523-5834).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Ocean Freight Forwarder Licensing and Application Form FMC-18-- OMB Approval Number 3072-0012 Expires August 31, 1998

   Abstract: Section 19 of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app. Sec. 1718, requires that no person shall act as a freight forwarder unless they hold a license by the Federal Maritime Commission. The Act requires the Commission to issue a license to any person that it determines to be qualified by experience and character to act as an ocean freight forwarder if that person has provided a surety bond issued by a surety company found acceptable by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Commission has implemented the provisions of Section 19 in regulations contained in 46 CFR Part 510 and its related application form, FMC-18.

   Needs and Uses: The Commission uses information obtained from Form FMC-18 as well as information contained in the Commission's files and letters of reference to determine whether an applicant meets the requirements for a license. If the collection of information were not conducted, there would be no basis upon which the Commission could determine if applicants are qualified for licensing.

   Frequency: This information is collected as applicants apply for a license or when certain information changes in existing licenses.

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

   Number of annual respondents: The Commission estimates an annual respondent universe of 2,007 licensed freight forwarders. The Commission estimates that the rule will impose, in varying degrees, a reporting burden on the entire respondent universe.

   Estimated time per response: The completion time for the Form FMC- 18 is estimated to be 2 person hours on average with the range being .5 hours to 4 hours.

   Total Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the total annual burden to be 2,018 person hours, as follows: 822 hours to comply with the regulation provisions; 502 hours for recordkeeping requirements; and 694 hours to complete the Form FMC-18.

2. Foreign Commerce Anti-rebating Certification--OMB Approval number 3072-0028 Expires August 31, 1998

   Abstract: Section 15(b) of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app. Sec. 1714(b), requires the chief executive officer of each common carrier and certain other persons to file with the Commission a periodic written certification that anti-rebating policies have been implemented and that full cooperation will be given to any Commission investigation of illegal rebating activity. The Commission has implemented the provisions of section 15(b) in regulations contained in 46 CFR 582.

   Needs and Uses: The Commission uses the information filedby these parties to maintain continuous surveillance over the activities of these entities and to provide an effective deterrent against rebating practices.

   Frequency: This information is collected with the filing of a carrier's initial tariff and the applicant's ocean freight forwarder license application. On each subsequent even-numbered calendar year, certifications are required to be filed.

   Type of Respondents: Respondents may include the chief executive officer of each common carrier and ocean freight forwarder, shipper, shipper's association, marine terminal operator or broker.

   Number of Annual Respondents: The Commission estimates a total of approximately 4,857 respondents as follows: 2,450 non-vessel-operating common carriers, 400 vessel operating common carriers and 2,007 ocean freight forwarders.

   Estimated Time Per Response: The Commission estimates approximately .5 person hours per response.

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

3. NVOCC Surety Bonds--OMB Approval Number 3072-0053 Expires September 30, 1998

   Abstract: Section 23(a) of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app. Sec. 1721(a), requires each non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) to furnish the Commission with an acceptable bond, proof of insurance or other surety, which is to be available to pay for damages arising from transportation-related activities, reparations or penalties. The Commission has implemented the provisions of section 23(a) in regulations contained in 46 CFR 583.

   Needs and Uses: The Commission uses the information to maintain continuous surveillance over NVOCCs and to enable the Commission to discharge its duties under the Act. Upon request, the Commission provides information to the public regarding a carrier's evidence of financial responsibility.

   [[Page 33063]]

   Frequency: Documents are filedannually.

   Type of Respondents: Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers.

   Number of annual respondents: The Commission estimates that approximately 2,450 NVOCCs will file these documents.

   Estimated Time per response: The Commission estimates one person hour per response for each filing.

   Total Annual Burden: Total annual manhour burden is estimated at 2,450 hours.

   Send comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of the information collections, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the addresses shown above. Joseph C. Polking, Secretary.

   [FR Doc. 98-16008Filed6-16-98; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 6730-01-M