The Federal Maritime Commission is interested in exploring a suggestion by agricultural shippers that establishing a container rate index for exports could be beneficial for U.S. shippers.
The trade community has mixed views on developing an export index based on confidential service contract information on file at the FMC. Peter Friedmann, AgTC executive director, said carriers that are members of the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement already have the information, and they also have antitrust immunity to discuss the data at WTSA meetings.