Maritime Commission Approves ATA Intermodal Settlement

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The Federal Maritime Commission has approved a settlement negotiated between American Trucking Associations’ Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference and an FMC-regulated ocean carrier, ATA said Thursday.The carrier, Sinotrans Container Lines Co., had wrongfully prevented an IMCC member trucking company from conducting intermodal business with its customers and with Sinotrans.FMC’s validation of the settlement marks the first time that violations of intermodal motor carrier contract rights have been recognized and enforced by the commission, ATA said.The FMC also dismissed a last-minute petition to intervene and block the settlement filed by the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association, ruling that the association had presented no grounds for review, ATA said.“We’re pleased that the FMC accepted jurisdiction over this dispute in approving the settlement,” said ATA President Bill Graves.“This decision gives intermodal motor carriers a new and powerful avenue for protecting the rights, risks and obligations of motor carriers operating in the intermodal container logistics network,” he said.