The MOL settlement is one of the largest in FMC history. The company agreed to pay the penalties but did not admit guilt.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) said it had entered into a compromise agreement with MOL that would see the shipping line pay a fine of $1.2 million.
FMC said the fine related to allegations that MOL: mis-described commodities; unlawfully substituted equipment; provided services to unlicensed, untariffed, and unbonded ocean transport intermediaries; permitted the use of service contracts by persons not parties to those contracts; and provided transport that was not in accordance with the rates and charges set forth in the line’s published tariffs.
FMC staff alleged that these practices persisted over a period of several years and involved numerous service contracts.