FMC Seeking Comments on Data Sharing About Container Movement
The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking comments by June 17 on what data elements are communicated between transportation service providers and importers and exporters about "containers moving through marine terminals." It also seeks information on how changes are conveyed and where communication is most likely to break down "or information is most likely to be conveyed inaccurately," the commission said. The effort, the commission said in a request for information released April 15, is an expansion of the commission's May 2023 Marine Transportation Data Initiative and its associated August 2023 request for information regarding data availability, accuracy, and exchange, the FMC said.
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The FMC said a "common theme revealed" by its work up to now on the initiative was that information on container pick-ups and returns was difficult to "gather accurately or predict," with reported challenges in determining who should provide the information, in the information changing frequently, and changes not being conveyed to "shipping entities," FMC said.
The commission prepared 25 questions, 17 designed for vessel operators and marine terminal operators, and eight questions for exporters. The general public may also respond to the questions. Comments should be submitted under docket FMC-2023-0016 at regulations.gov.