PART 501—THE FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION—GENERAL Authority: 5 U.S.C. 551-557, 701-706, 2903 and 6304; 31 U.S.C. 3721; 41 U.S.C. 414 and 418; 44 U.S.C. 501-520 and 3501-3520; 46 U.S.C. 40101-41309, 42101-42109, 44101-44106, 46101-46108; Pub. L. 89-56, 70 Stat. 195; 5 CFR part 2638; Pub. L. 104-320, 110 Stat. 3870. Source: 86 FR 50681, Sept. 10, 2021, unless otherwise noted. Subpart A—Organization and Functions § 501.1 Purpose. This part describes the organization, functions, and the delegation of authority within, the Federal Maritime Commission (“Commission”). § 501.2 General. (a) Statutory functions. (b) Establishment and composition of the Commission. (c) Terms and vacancies Length of terms. i.e., (2) Removal. (3) Vacancies. (4) Term limits Commissioners initially appointed and confirmed before December 18, 2014. (ii) Commissioners initially appointed and confirmed on or after December 18, 2014. (B) No individual may serve more than two terms, except that an individual appointed to fill a vacancy may serve two terms in addition to the remainder of the term for which the predecessor of that individual was appointed. (d) Quorum. (e) Meetings; records; rules and regulations. § 501.3 The Commission's organizational components and their functions. (a) Office of the Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission General. (2) Management and supervision. (b) Commissioners. (1) The Office of Inspector General (OIG) reports to and is under the general supervision of the Commissioners. The OIG is an independent and objective oversight office created within the Commission that conducts audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Commission and recommends policies designed to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of, and to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse in, such programs and operations. (2) [Reserved] (c) Office of the Secretary. (d) Office of the General Counsel General. (2) Designated Agency Ethics Official. (e) Office of Administrative Law Judges. (f) Office of the Managing Director General duties of the Managing Director Chief Operating Officer. (ii) Administrative direction. (2) General duties. (3) Management and supervision. (i) Director, Enterprise Services. (ii) Office of Budget and Finance. (iii) Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services. (iv) Office of Human Resources. (v) Office of Information Technology. (vi) Office of Management Services. (vii) Bureau of Certification and Licensing. (viii) Bureau of Trade Analysis. (ix) Bureau of Enforcement. (x) Area Representatives. [86 FR 50681, Sept. 10, 2021, as amended at 90 FR 26222, June 20, 2025] Subpart B—Delegation and Redelegation of Authorities § 501.11 Delegation of authorities. (a) Authority and delegation. (b) Temporary redelegation. (c) Redelegation. Federal Register (d) Exercise of authority; policy and procedure. (e) Exercise of delegated authority by delegator. (f) Review of delegatee's action. (1) Petition. (i) If the action for which review is sought is taken by a delegatee, the petition shall be addressed to the Commission pursuant to § 502.94 of this chapter. (ii) If the action for which review is sought is taken by a redelegatee, the petition shall be addressed to the redelegator whose decision can be further reviewed by the Commission under paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section, unless the Commission decides to review the matter directly, such as, for example, if the redelegator is incapacitated. (2) Discretionary review. e.g., (g) Action—when final. (h) Conflicts. § 501.12 Delegation to the General Counsel. (a) Authority to classify carriers within the meaning of 46 U.S.C. 40102(9) except where a carrier submits a rebuttal statement pursuant to § 565.3(b) of this chapter. (b) Authority to review for legal sufficiency all adverse personnel actions, procurement activities, Freedom of Information Act matters, Privacy Act matters, and requests for testimony by employees and production of official records in litigation and other administrative actions, pursuant to part 503, subpart E, of this chapter. (c) Authority to determine that no action should be taken to prevent an agreement or modification to an agreement from becoming effective under 46 U.S.C. 40304(c), and to shorten the review period under 46 U.S.C. 40304(c)(1) and (e)(1), when the agreement or modification involves solely a restatement, clarification, or change in an agreement which adds no new substantive authority beyond that already contained in an effective agreement. This category of agreement or modification includes, for example, the following: a restatement filed to conform an agreement to the format and organization requirements of part 535 of this chapter; a clarification to reflect a change in the name of a country or port or a change in the name of a party to the agreement; a correction of typographical or grammatical errors in the text of an agreement; a change in the title of persons or committees designated in an agreement; or a transfer of functions from one person or committee to another. (d) Authority to grant or deny applications filed under § 535.407 of this chapter for waiver of the form, organization, and content requirements of §§ 535.401 through 535.406 of this chapter. (e) Authority to grant or deny applications filed under § 535.504 of this chapter for waiver of the Information Form requirements in subpart E of part 535 of this chapter. (f) Authority to grant or deny applications filed under § 535.705 of this chapter for waiver of the reporting requirements in subpart G of part 535 of this chapter. (g) Authority to determine that no action should be taken to prevent an agreement or modification of an agreement from becoming effective under 46 U.S.C. 40304(c)(1) for all unopposed agreements and modifications to agreements which will not result in a significant reduction in competition. Agreements which are deemed to have the potential to result in a significant reduction in competition and which, therefore, are not covered by the delegation in this paragraph (g) include but are not limited to: (1) New agreements authorizing the parties to collectively discuss or fix rates (including terminal rates). (2) New agreements authorizing the parties to pool cargoes or revenues. (3) New agreements authorizing the parties to establish a joint service or consortium. (4) New equal access agreements. (h) Authority to grant or deny shortened review pursuant to § 535.605 of this chapter for agreements for which authority is delegated in paragraph (g) of this section. (i) Authority to deny, but not approve, requests filed pursuant to § 535.605 of this chapter for a shortened review period for agreements for which authority is not delegated under paragraph (g) of this section. (j) Authority to issue notices of termination of agreements which are otherwise effective under the Shipping Act of 1984, as amended, after publication of notice of intent to terminate in the Federal Register, (1) Requested by the parties to the agreement; (2) Based on the General Counsel's determination that the parties are no longer engaged in activity under the agreement; or (3) Based on the withdrawal of the next to last party to an agreement without notification of the addition of another party prior to the effective date of the next to last party's withdrawal. (k) Authority to determine whether agreements for the use or operation of terminal property or facilities, or the furnishing of terminal services, are within the purview of 46 U.S.C. chapter 403. (l) Authority to require controlled carriers to file justifications for existing or proposed rates, charges, classifications, rules, or regulations, and to review responses to such requests for the purpose of recommending to the Commission that a rate, charge, classification, rule, or regulation be found unlawful and, therefore, requires Commission action under 46 U.S.C. 40704(b)-(e). (m) Authority to require Monitoring Reports from, or prescribe alternative periodic reporting requirements for, parties to agreements under § 535.702(c) and (d) of this chapter. [86 FR 50681, Sept. 10, 2021, as amended at 90 FR 26222, June 20, 2025 § 501.13 Delegation to the Secretary. (a) Authority to approve applications for permission to practice before the Commission and to issue admission certificates to approved applicants. (b) Authority to extend the time to file exceptions or replies to exceptions, and the time for Commission review, relative to initial decisions of administrative law judges and decisions of Special Dockets Officers. (c) Authority to extend the time to file appeals or replies to appeals, and the time for Commission review, relative to dismissals of proceedings, in whole or in part, issued by administrative law judges. (d) Authority to establish and extend or reduce the time: (1) To file documents either in docketed proceedings or relative to petitions filed under part 502 of this chapter, which are pending before the Commission itself; and (2) To issue initial and final decisions under § 502.61 of this chapter. (e) Authority to prescribe a time limit for the submission of written comments with reference to agreements filed pursuant to 46 U.S.C. chapter 403. (f) Authority, in appropriate cases, to publish in the Federal Register (g) Authority to prescribe a time limit less than ten days from the date published in the Federal Register § 501.14 Delegation to and redelegation by the Managing Director. (a) Authority to adjudicate, with the concurrence of the General Counsel, and authorize payment of, employee claims for not more than $10,000.00, arising under the Military and Civilian Personnel Property Act of 1964 (31 U.S.C. 3721) and the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. 1346(b), 2671-2680). (b) Authority to determine that an exigency of the public business is of such importance that annual leave may not be used by employees to avoid forfeiture before annual leave may be restored under 5 U.S.C. 6304. (c)(1) Authority to classify all positions GS-1 through GS-15 and wage grade positions. (2) The authority under paragraph (c)(1) of this section is redelegated to the Director, Office of Human Resources. § 501.15 Delegation to the Chief Financial Officer. (a) Authority to approve, certify, or otherwise authorize those actions dealing with appropriations of funds made available to the Commission including allotments, fiscal matters, and contracts relating to the operation of the Commission within the laws, rules, and regulations set forth by the Federal Government. (b) Authority, in the absence or preoccupation of the Managing Director, to sign travel orders, non-docketed recommendations to the Commission, and other routine documents for the Managing Director, consistent with the programs, policies, and precedents established by the Commission or the Managing Director. § 501.16 Delegation to and redelegation by the Director, Bureau of Certification and Licensing. (a) In relation to OTI licenses: (1) Authority to approve or disapprove applications for OTI licenses; issue or reissue or transfer such licenses; and approve extensions of time in which to furnish the name(s) and ocean transportation intermediary experience of the managing partner(s) or officer(s) who will replace the qualifying partner or officer upon whose qualifications the original licensing was approved; (2) Authority to issue a letter stating that the Commission intends to deny an OTI application unless, within 20 days, applicant requests a hearing to show that denial of the application is unwarranted; deny applications where an applicant has received such a letter and has not requested a hearing within the notice period; and rescind, or grant extensions of, the time specified in such letters; (3) Authority to revoke the license of an OTI upon the request of the licensee; (4) Authority to, upon receipt of notice of cancellation of any instrument evidencing financial responsibility, notify the licensee in writing that its license will automatically be suspended or revoked, effective on the cancellation date of such instrument, unless new or reinstated evidence of financial responsibility is submitted and approved prior to such date, and subsequently order such suspension or revocation for failure to maintain proof of financial responsibility; (5) Authority to revoke the ocean transportation intermediary license of a non-vessel-operating common carrier not in the United States for failure to designate and maintain a person in the United States as legal agent for the receipt of judicial and administrative process; (6) Authority to approve changes in an existing licensee's organization; and (7) Authority to return any application which on its face fails to meet the requirements of the Commission's regulations, accompanied by an explanation of the reasons for rejection. (8) The authorities contained in paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this section are redelegated to the Director, Transportation Intermediaries, in the Bureau of Certification and Licensing. (b) In relation to Certificates: (1) Authority to approve applications for Certificates (Performance) and Certificates (Casualty) for passenger vessels, evidenced by a surety bond, guaranty, escrow agreements, or insurance policy, or combination thereof; and issue, reissue, or amend such Certificates; (2) Authority to issue a written notice to an applicant stating intent to deny an application for a Certificate (Performance) and/or (Casualty), indicating the reason therefor, and advising applicant of the time for requesting a hearing as provided for under § 540.8(c) or § 540.26(c) of this chapter; deny any application where the applicant has not submitted a timely request for a hearing; and rescind such notices and grant extensions of the time within which a request for hearing may be filed; (3) Authority to issue a written notice to a certificant stating that the Commission intends to revoke, suspend, or modify a Certificate (Performance) and/or (Casualty), indicating the reason therefor, and advising of the time for requesting a hearing as provided for under § 540.8(c) or § 540.26(c) of this chapter; revoke, suspend or modify a Certificate (Performance) and/or (Casualty) where the certificant has not submitted a timely request for hearing; and rescind such notices and grant extensions of time within which a request for hearing may be filed; (4) Authority to revoke a Certificate (Performance) and/or (Casualty) which has expired, and/or upon request of, or acquiescence by, the certificant; and (5) Authority to notify a certificant when a Certificate (Performance) and/or (Casualty) has become null and void in accordance with §§ 540.8(a) and 540.26(a) of this chapter. (c) Authority to approve amendments to escrow agreements filed under § 540.5(b) of this chapter when such amendments are for the purpose of changing names of principals, changing the vessels covered by the escrow agreement, changing the escrow agent, and changing the amount of funds held in escrow, provided that the changes in amount of funds result in an amount of coverage that complies with the requirements in the introductory text of § 540.5 of this chapter. (d) Authority to grant requests to substitute alternative financial responsibility pursuant to § 540.9(l) of this chapter based upon existing protection available to purchases of passenger vessel transportation by credit card by an amount up to fifty (50) percent of the passenger vessel operator's highest two-year unearned passenger revenues. § 501.17 Delegation to and redelegation by the Director, Bureau of Trade Analysis. (a) Authority to recommend to the Commission the initiation of formal proceedings or other actions with respect to suspected violations of the Shipping Act of 1984, as amended, and rules and regulations of the Commission. (b) The authority to accept, deny, or deactivate a Form FMC-1 submitted by ocean common carriers, non-vessel-operating common carriers, conferences, and marine terminal operators under parts 520 and 525 of this chapter. (c) Authority contained in part 530 of this chapter to approve, but not deny, requests for permission to correct clerical or administrative errors in the essential terms of filed service contracts. [90 FR 26222, June 20, 2025] § 501.18 Delegation to the Director, Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance. As set forth in §§ 502.63(d) and 502.604, the Director, Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance (BEIC) has delegated authority to issue Notice(s) of Violations (NOV) and to compromise civil penalty claims subject to review by the Commission pursuant to § 501.11(f)(2). This delegation shall include the authority to compromise claims relating to the retention, suspension, or revocation of ocean transportation intermediary licenses. [88 FR 23363, Apr. 17, 2023] Subpart C—Official Seal Authority: 18 U.S.C 506; 18 U.S.C. 701; 18 U.S.C. 1017; 28 U.S.C. 1733(b); 46 U.S.C. 46101(d). Source: 89 FR 65788, Aug. 13, 2024, unless otherwise noted. § 501.100 Description of official seal. (a) The official seal of the Federal Maritime Commission is described as follows: A shield argent paly of six gules, a chief azure charged with a fouled anchor or; shield and anchor outlined of the third; on a wreath argent and gules, an eagle displayed proper; all on a gold disc within a blue border, encircled by a gold rope outlined in blue, and bearing in white letters the inscription “Federal Maritime Commission” in upper portion and “1961” in lower portion. The monochrome version of the official seal appears in figure 1 to this section. Figure 1 to § 501.100 (b) The shield and eagle above it are associated with the United States of America and denote the national scope of maritime affairs. The outer rope and fouled anchor are symbolic of seamen and waterborne transportation. The date “1961” has historical significance, indicating the year in which the Commission was created. (c) The seal shall be judicially recognized in accordance with section 201(c) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended (46 U.S.C. 46101(d)). § 501.101 Authority to affix seal. (a) The seal of the Federal Maritime Commission shall be in the custody and control of the Secretary of the Commission. (b) The Secretary has authority to affix replicas, reproductions, and embossing seals to appropriate documents, certifications, and other material for all purposes as authorized by this subpart, including for the purposes authorized by 28 U.S.C. 1733(b). The Secretary may delegate and authorize redelegations of this authority. The Office of the Secretary shall maintain official records of such delegations and redelegations (and cancellations thereof). § 501.102 Use of replicas, reproductions, and embossing seals within the agency. (a) Replicas and reproductions of the seal of the Federal Maritime Commission may be used only for: (1) Display in or adjacent to: (i) Commission facilities, in Commission auditoriums, presentation rooms, hearing rooms, lobbies, and public document rooms. (ii) Non-Commission facilities in connection with events and displays sponsored by the Commission, or public appearances of a Commissioner or other senior officials designated by the Secretary. (iii) Offices of Commissioners and senior Commission officials designated by the Secretary. (2) Official distinguishing flags of the Federal Maritime Commission adopted by the Commission that incorporate the seal. (3) Official awards, certificates, medals, and plaques. (4) Motion picture film and other audiovisual media prepared by, or for the Commission with the agency's approval, and attributed thereto. (5) Official prestige publications which represent the achievements or mission of the Commission. (6) Stationary, programs, certificates, diplomas, business and calling cards, or signs and invitations of an official nature prepared by, or on behalf of the Commission with the agency's approval. (7) Official Commission identification cards and security credentials. (8) Official publications or graphics issued by and attributed to the Commission, or joint statements of the Commission with one or more Federal agencies, State or local governments, Tribal governments, or foreign governments. (9) Official Commission exhibit displays. (10) Protocol gifts handed out by a Commissioner or other senior Commission officials designated by the Secretary. (11) On athletic clothing or equipment with permission of the Commission for official or informational purposes. (12) Use of the seal within the agency for any purpose other than as prescribed in this section is prohibited, except that the Secretary of Commission may authorize, on a case-by-case basis, use for purposes other than those prescribed when the Secretary, in consultation with the General Counsel, deems such use to be appropriate. (b) Embossing seals may be used only on: (1) Commission legal documents, including interagency or intergovernmental agreements, agreements with States, foreign patent applications, and similar documents. (2) For other such purposes as determined by the General Counsel of the Federal Maritime Commission. § 501.103 Use by outside persons or organizations. (a) Replicas and reproductions of the seal of the Federal Maritime Commission, physical or digital, by persons and organizations outside of the Commission may be made only with the Commission's prior written approval. Persons and organizations outside of the Commission are prohibited from using a Commission embossing seal. (b) Requests by any person or organization outside of the Commission for permission to use the seal must be made in writing electronically to [email protected]. (c) The decision whether to grant such a request is made on a case-by-case basis, with consideration of all relevant factors, which may include: the benefit or cost to the Government of granting the request; the unintended appearance of endorsement or authentication by the Commission; the potential for misuse; the effect upon Commission security; the reputability of the use; the extent of the control by the Commission over the ultimate use; and the extent of control by the Commission over distribution of any products or publications bearing the seal. (d) Use of the seal shall be for informational purposes. The seal may not be used on any article or in any manner which may discredit the seal or reflect unfavorably upon the Commission, or which implies Commission endorsement of commercial products or services, or of the users' policies or activities. All agreements must benefit the Commission; tie to a key communication or operational objective; and demonstrate the ability for significant impact. The Commission reserves the right to cancel such an agreement at any time. Specifically, permission may not be granted under this section for nonofficial use— (1) On souvenir or novelty items of an expendable nature; (2) On toys, gifts, or premiums; (3) As a non-Commission letterhead design; or (4) On menus, matchbook covers, calendars, or similar items. (e) Use of the seal for any purpose other than as prescribed in this section is prohibited, except that the Secretary may authorize the use of the seal by outside individuals or organizations, on a case-by-case basis, for purposes other than those prescribed when the Secretary, in consultation with the General Counsel, deems such use to be appropriate. § 501.104 Penalties. (a) Falsely making, forging, counterfeiting, mutilating, or altering the seal of the Federal Maritime Commission, or knowingly using or possessing with fraudulent intent an altered seal is punishable under 18 U.S.C. 506. (b) Any person using the seal in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this subpart is subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 1017, which states penalties for the wrongful use of an agency seal, and other provisions of law as applicable. (c) Any person using the seal in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this part is subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 701, which states the penalties for the wrongful use of badges, identification cards, insignia, and other designs prescribed by an agency.