The purpose of this subpart is to implement the statutory provisions of section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 42101-42109), section 13 of the Shipping Act of 1984 as amended (46 U.S.C. 41107-41109), and sections 2(c) and 3(c) of Public Law 89-777 (46 U.S.C. 44104) by establishing rules and regulations governing the compromise, assessment, settlement and collection of civil penalties arising under certain designated provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, the Shipping Act of 1984, Public Law 89-777, and/or any order, rule, or regulation (except for procedural rules and regulations contained in this part) issued or made by the Commission in the exercise of its powers, duties and functions under those statutes.

[88 FR 16574, Mar. 20, 2023]

For the purposes of this subpart:

(a) Assessment means the imposition of a civil penalty by order of the Commission after a formal docketed proceeding.

(b) Commission means the Federal Maritime Commission.

(c) Compromise means the process whereby a civil penalty for a violation is agreed upon by the respondent and the Commission outside of a formal, docketed proceeding.

(d) Mitigation means the reduction, in whole or in part, of the amount of a civil penalty.

(e) Person includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, and associations existing under or authorized by the laws of the United States or of a foreign country.

(f) Respondent means any person charged with a violation.

(g) Settlement means the process whereby a civil penalty or other disposition of the case for a violation is agreed to in a formal, docketed proceeding instituted by order of the Commission.

(h) Violation includes any violation of sections 19(f)(4), 19(g)(4) and 19(k) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 42104(a), 42104(d), and 42108); any provision of the Shipping Act of 1984 as amended (46 U.S.C. 40101-41310); sections 2 and 3 of Public Law 89-777 (46 U.S.C. 44101-44106); and/or any order, rule or regulation (except for procedural rules and regulations contained in this part) issued or made by the Commission in the exercise of its powers, duties and functions under the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, the Shipping Act of 1984 as amended, or Public Law 89-777.

(i) Words in the plural form shall include the singular and vice versa; and words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and vice versa. The terms “includes” and “including” do not exclude matters not listed but which are in the same general class. The word “and” includes “or”, except where specifically stated or where the context requires otherwise. [Rule 602.]

[49 FR 44418, Nov. 6, 1984. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 7812, Feb. 17, 1999; 74 FR 50717, Oct. 1, 2009; 88 FR 16574, Mar. 20, 2023]

(a) Procedure for assessment of penalty. The Commission may assess a civil penalty or, in addition to or in lieu of a civil penalty, a refund of a charge, only after notice and opportunity for hearing. Civil penalty assessment proceedings, including settlement negotiations, shall be governed by the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure in this part. All settlements must be approved by the Presiding Officer. The full text of any settlement must be included in the final order of the Commission.

(b) Determination of amount—(1) Factors for consideration. In determining the amount of a civil penalty assessed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, the Federal Maritime Commission shall take into consideration:

(i) The nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation committed;

(ii) With respect to the violator:

(A) The degree of culpability;

(B) Any history of prior offenses;

(C) The ability to pay; and

(D) Such other matters as justice may require; and

(iii) The amount of any refund of money ordered under 46 U.S.C. 41310.

(2) Commensurate reduction in civil penalty—(i) In general. In any case in which the Federal Maritime Commission orders a refund of money in addition to assessing a civil penalty, the amount of the civil penalty assessed shall be decreased by any additional amounts included in the refund of money in excess of the actual injury (as defined in 46 U.S.C. 41305(a)).

(ii) Treatment of refunds. A refund of money ordered shall be:

(A) Considered to be compensation paid to the applicable claimant; and

(B) Deducted from the total amount of damages awarded to that claimant in a civil action against the violator relating to the applicable violation.

(c) Limitations; relation to compromise. When the Commission, in its discretion, determines that policy, justice or other circumstances warrant, a civil penalty assessment proceeding may be instituted at any time for any violation which occurred within five years prior to the issuance of the order of investigation. Such proceeding may also be instituted at any time after the initiation of informal compromise procedures, except where a compromise agreement for the same violations under the compromise procedures has become effective under § 502.604). [Rule 603.]

[49 FR 44418, Nov. 6, 1984. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 7812, Feb. 17, 1999; 84 FR 54040, Oct. 9, 2019; 88 FR 16574, Mar. 20, 2023]

(a) Scope. Except in pending civil penalty assessment proceedings provided for in § 502.603, the Commission, when it has reason to believe a violation has occurred, may invoke the informal compromise procedures of this section.

(b) Notice. When the Commission considers it appropriate to afford an opportunity for the compromise of a civil penalty, it will, except when circumstances render it unnecessary, send a Notice of Violations (NOV) to the respondent by electronic and registered or certified mail, or by other means reasonably calculated to give notice. The NOV will describe specific violation(s) on which the claim is based, including the particular facts, dates, and other elements necessary for the respondent to identify the specific conduct constituting the alleged violation; the amount of the penalty demanded; and the names of Commission personnel with whom the demand may be discussed, if the person desires to compromise the penalty. The NOV also will state the deadlines for the institution and completion of compromise negotiations. If a compromise agreement is not reached between the parties and BEIC intends to recommend that the Commission institute a formal proceeding pursuant to § 502.63(a), then BEIC shall provide notice of its intent to the respondent and provide the respondent with the opportunity to make a written submission within 15 days for consideration by the Commission.

(c) Request for compromise. Any person receiving an NOV provided for in paragraph (b) of this section may, within the time specified, request opportunity for informal resolution, deny the violation, or submit materials explaining, mitigating, or showing extenuating circumstances, as well as make voluntary disclosures of information and documents.

(d) Criteria for compromise. In addition to the factors set forth in § 502.603(b), in compromising a penalty claim, the Commission may consider litigative concerns, the cost of collecting the claim, and enforcement policy.

(e) Disposition of claims in compromise procedures. (1) When a penalty is compromised and the respondent agrees to settle, a compromise agreement shall be executed by the respondent. This agreement, after reciting the nature of the claim, will include a statement evidencing the respondent's agreement to the compromise of the Commission's penalty claim for the amount set forth in the agreement and will also embody an approval and acceptance provision which is to be signed by the appropriate Commission official subsequent to Commission review under § 501.11, if any. Upon compromise of the penalty in the agreed amount, a duplicate original of the fully executed agreement shall be furnished to the respondent.

(2) Upon completion of the compromise, the Commission may issue a public notice thereof, the terms and language of which are not subject to negotiation.

(f) Relation to assessment proceedings. Except by order of the Commission, no compromise procedure shall be initiated or continued after institution of a Commission assessment proceeding directed to the same violations. Any offer of compromise submitted by the respondent pursuant to this section shall be deemed to have been furnished by the respondent without prejudice and shall not be used against the respondent in any proceeding.

(g) Delegation of compromise authority. The compromise authority set forth in this subpart is delegated to the Director, Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance. The Director, Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance, has the authority to negotiate the terms of compromise agreements, provided that any compromise agreement shall not become effective until the Commission has had the opportunity to review pursuant to § 501.11(f)(2). [Rule 604.]

[88 FR 23363, Apr. 17, 2023]

(a) Method. Payment of penalties by the respondent is to be made by bank cashier's check or other instrument acceptable to the Commission.

(b) All checks or other instruments submitted in payment of claims shall be made payable to the Federal Maritime Commission.

(c) Default in payment. Where a respondent fails or refuses to pay a penalty properly assessed under § 502.603, or compromised and agreed to under § 502.604, appropriate collection efforts will be made by the Commission, including, but not limited to referral to the Department of Justice for collection. Where such defaulting respondent is a licensed ocean transportation intermediary, such default also may be grounds for revocation or suspension of the respondent's license, after notice and opportunity for hearing, unless such notice and hearing have been waived by the respondent in writing.

[49 FR 44418, Nov. 6, 1984. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 7813, Feb. 17, 1999; 88 FR 16574, Mar. 20, 2023]

Compromise Agreement FMC File No. ________

This Agreement is entered into between:

(1) the Federal Maritime Commission, hereinafter referred to as Commission, and

(2) ________________, hereinafter referred to as Respondent.

Whereas, the Commission is considering the institution of an assessment proceeding against Respondent for the recovery of civil penalties provided under the [appropriate statute], for alleged violations of section ________;

Whereas, this course of action is the result of practices believed by the Commission to have been engaged in by Respondent, to wit:

[General description of practices and dates or time period involved]

Whereas, the Commission has authority under the Shipping Act of 1984 to compromise and collect civil penalties; and,

Whereas, Respondent has terminated the practices which are the basis for the allegations of violation set forth herein, and has instituted and indicated its willingness to maintain measures designed to eliminate these practices by Respondent, its officers, directors or employees.

Now Therefore, in consideration of the premises herein, and in compromise of all civil penalties arising from the alleged violations, Respondent and the Commission hereby agree upon the following terms and conditions of compromise and settlement:

1. Respondent shall make a monetary payment to the Commission herewith, by bank cashier's check, in the total amount of $________.

2. Upon acceptance in writing of this Agreement by the Director of the Bureau of Enforcement of the Commission, this instrument shall forever bar the commencement or institution of any assessment proceeding or other claim for recovery of civil penalties from the Respondent arising from the alleged violations set forth above.

3. It is expressly understood and agreed that this Agreement is not, and is not to be construed as, an admission by Respondent to the alleged violations set forth above.

(Respondent's Name) By: Title: Date: Approval and Acceptance

The above terms, conditions and consideration are hereby approved and accepted:

By the Federal Maritime Commission:

Director, Bureau of Enforcement Date: [49 FR 44418, Nov. 6, 1984. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 51233, Oct. 1, 1996; 65 FR 81759, Dec. 27, 2000]