FMC Gives Nod to Maersk’s Exemption Petition

Danish shipping giant Maersk Line has received an approval for a petition for temporary exemption service contract filings after it was hit by the Petya virus, according to the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).

Due to this cyber attack, which severely disrupted Maersk’s information systems, including the system that stores service contract data, the company had been unable to determine which shippers to contact in order to extend or renegotiate certain service contract rates.

Further, even if Maersk was able to identify which contracts needed attention, the company was not be able to electronically file the documents because of the damage caused by the virus.

“By granting the petition, Maersk will not require customers to pay higher tariff rates to shipments tendered during the 20-day period, but rather, this action permits Maersk to apply service contract rates to such shipments that were agreed upon and filed after the date of cargo receipt without violating the Shipping Act,” William P. Doyle, Commissioner with FMC, said.

Additionally, Maersk is able to provide service to its customers on the same commercial terms as it would have had it been able to conclude and file contacts and amendments. Maersk’s requested exemption will not result in a substantial reduction in competition or be detrimental to commerce.