The World Shipping Council regularly provides comments to Government agencies on regulatory issues of interest to our members. These comments are prepared by the Council with input from several advisory committees made up of experts from our member companies. Please choose from the agency list below to view the Council's input on a particular issue.

United States

• Bureau of Census
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Coast Guard (USCG)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
• Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Maritime Administration (MARAD)
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• State Department
• Transportation Security Administration

Europe

• European Commission

Bureau of Census

• (November 12, 2003) World Shipping Council submits comments to Bureau of Census regarding Mandatory Automated Export System (AES) Filing proposed rule. Council Comments >>

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• (February 10, 2006) World Shipping Council submits comments on proposed changes to rules governing the control of communicable diseases.Council Comments  >>

Customs and Border Protection

• (March 3, 2008) The Council comments on on proposed rule for Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (a.k.a. 10 plus 2) Read Comments >>



• (October 12, 2006) The Council comments on the proposed rules for Advanced Passenger Information Systems. Read Comments >>



• (February 2, 2004) World Shipping Council submits joint comments to the Bureau of Customs and Boarder Protection. Asks CBP to refine its approach on gathering information on importers' suppliers. Council Comments >>



• (February 17, 2004) World Shipping Council responds to Customs' Request for Information on secure container technology. Proposes framework for e-seals and other RFID technology. Press Release  >> Council Comments  >>



• (August 22,2003) World Shipping Council submits comments to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection on proposed Trade Act regulations. Comments  >>



• (June 6, 2003) World Shipping Council Commends Customs' Ability to Increase Cargo Inspections Without Disrupting Trade. Statement  >>



• (February 18, 2003) World Shipping Council files comments on Customs Service's Strawman Proposals for the Collection of Mandatory Advanced Electronic Cargo Information. Council Comments  >>



• (February 10, 2003) World Shipping Council opposes Customs Service's Proposed Rule on confidentiality of trade data for U.S. imports.
Council Comments  >>


• (January 14, 2003) World Shipping Council issues statement regarding February 2 enforcement of Customs Service's 24-Hour advance filing requirement.
Comments  >>


• (September 9, 2002) World Shipping Council files comments on Customs Service rulemaking requiring that cargo manifests be filed 24 hours before loading at a foreign port. Comments  >>



• Liner shipping industry steps up to support Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).World Shipping Council Statement  >>

Coast Guard

• (December 21, 2007) The Council comments on the proposed rulemaking for Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships. Read Comments  >>



• (July 31,2003) World Shipping Council comments in support of the Coast Guard's Temporary Interim Rules on maritime security. Comments  >>



• (February 28, 2003) World Shipping Council submits comments to the Coast Guard regarding implementation of new maritime security regulations.Council Comments  >>



• (August 19, 2002) World Shipping Council responds to Coast Guard Rulemaking on Notices of Arrival; supports permanent 96-hour requirement.Comments  >>

Environmental Protection Agency

• (February 27, 2008) The Council submits comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the EPA's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), regarding the agency’s preliminary plans to issue a proposed regulation of ship air emissions that tracks with the U.S. ship air emission proposal to IMO. Read the Council's Comments  >>



• (August 6, 2007) The Council responds to a request for comments on procedures on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits. Read comments  >>




Federal Highway Administration

Federal Maritime Commission

• (September 30, 2004)Council submits comments to the FMC in support of the joint petition seeking authority for NVOCC's to enter into service contracts with shippers. Council Comments >>



• (October 10, 2003) World Shipping Council submits comments to the Federal Maritime Commission in response to Notices regarding various petitions. Council Comments >>




Food and Drug Administrtaion

• (December 23, 2003) World Shipping Council submits comments with the Food and Drug Administration regarding their Interim Final Rules on Prior Notice of Imported Food and Registration of Food Facilities. Council Comments >>



• (April 4, 2003) World Shipping Council submits comments to the Food and Drug Administration regarding Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on advance reporting of imported food. Council Comments  >>




Maritime Administration

National Marine Fisheries Service

• (October 5, 2006) The Council submits comments on NMFS's Proposed Rule to Implement Vessel Speed Restrictions and the corresponding Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Read Council Comments >>



• (November 15, 2004)World Shipping Council submits comments on NMFS's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction. Council Comments >>



• (July 22, 2005)World Shipping Council submits comments on NMFS's Notice of Intent to prepare on Environmental Impact Statement an Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Strategy. Council Supports the EIS but calls for additional research on ship strikes. Council Comments >>




National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

State Department

• (May 17, 2004) Council files comments on U.S. State Department interim final rule to eliminate crew list visa system. Comments  >>



• (September 4, 2003) Council files comments on U.S. State Department Interim Rule on personal appearance and interview requirements for non immigrant visa applicants. Comments  >>



• (February 11, 2003) World Shipping Council files comments with the State Department with recommendations on seafarer visa process. Press Release  >> Comments  >>




Transportation Security Administration

• (September 12, 2003) Carriers and shippers have submitted a White Paper on In-Transit Container Security Enhancement to the U.S. Goverment. Press Release  >> White Paper  >>



• (December 5, 2002) World Shipping Council supports Operation Safe Commerce (OSC). Calls on the Transportation Security Agency to establish an open, transparent process, involving shippers and carriers, in the evaluation of OSC projects. Council Comments  >>




European Commission

• (April 18, 2006) The Council submits comments to the European Commission (EC) regarding Annex 30A: Advanced Cargo Data Elements for Risk Assessment purposes of the EC's draft regulations designed to establish an enhanced cargo risk analysis capacity.Council Comments on Data Elements  >>


• (March 1, 2006) The World Shipping Council filed comments with the European Commission (EC) on its draft regulations to establish an enhanced cargo risk analysis capacity through a European “24 Hour Rule” and an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program. The Council supports the strategy that requires the filing of shipment data 24 hours before vessel loading, a risk assessment of that cargo and a process that addresses any high-risk cargo concerns prior to vessel loading. We believe the interest of European commerce can be served by such a regime.Comments on EC 24 Hour Rule  >>Comments on EC AEO  >>



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