§41103 — Title 46 Shipping | U.S. Code

Summary

Carriers, marine terminal operators, and ocean freight forwarders must not knowingly share details about a shipment—like what it is, how much, where it’s going, who’s getting it, or how it’s routed—without the shipper’s or consignee’s permission if that information could hurt them or give a competitor an unfair advantage. There are three exceptions. Information can be shared when required by a court or legal process, when given to the Federal Maritime Commission or another U.S. government agency, or when given to a neutral body policing an approved shipping conference. A carrier in an approved conference may also give the conference (or its designee) information to check for agreement breaches or to compile cargo statistics, and it cannot stop the conference from asking for or getting that information.

Title 46, §41103

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A common carrier, marine terminal operator, or ocean freight forwarder, either alone or in conjunction with any other person, directly or indirectly, may not knowingly disclose, offer, solicit, or receive any information concerning the nature, kind, quantity, destination, consignee, or routing of any property tendered or delivered to a common carrier, without the consent of the shipper or consignee, if the information—

(1)may be used to the detriment or prejudice of the shipper, the consignee, or any common carrier; or

(2)may improperly disclose its business transaction to a competitor.

(b)Subsection (a) does not prevent providing the information—

(1)in response to legal process;

(2)to the Federal Maritime Commission or an agency of the United States Government; or

(3)to an independent neutral body operating within the scope of its authority to fulfill the policing obligations of the parties to an agreement effective under this part.

(c)An ocean common carrier that is a party to a conference agreement approved under this part, a receiver, trustee, lessee, agent, or employee of the carrier, or any other person authorized by the carrier to receive information—

(1)may give information to the conference or any person or agency designated by the conference, for the purpose of—

(A)determining whether a shipper or consignee has breached an agreement with the conference or its member lines;

(B)determining whether a member of the conference has breached the conference agreement; or

(C)compiling statistics of cargo movement; and

(2)may not prevent the conference or its designee from soliciting or receiving information for any of those purposes.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 41103(a)46 App.:1709(b)(13), (d)(3) (related to (b)(13)), (5).Pub. L. 98–237, § 10(b)(13), (words after cl. (13)), (d)(3) (related to (b)(13)), (5), Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 79, 80; Pub. L. 101–595, title VII, § 710(c)(1), (2), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2997; Pub. L. 105–258, title I, § 109(a)(10), (11), (16), (17), (c)(3), Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1910, 1911. 41103(b)46 App.:1709(b) (next-to-last sentence). 41103(c)46 App.:1709(b) (last sentence). In subsection (a), the words “marine terminal operator, or ocean freight forwarder” are added because of 46 App. U.S.C. 1709(d)(3) and (5). The words “ocean freight forwarder” are substituted for “ocean transportation intermediaries, as defined by section 1702(17)(A) of this Appendix” in 46 App. U.S.C. 1709(d)(5) because the definition of “ocean transportation intermediary” in section 1702(17)(A) contains a definition of “ocean freight forwarder” which is restated as a separate definition. In subsection (b), the words “does not prevent” are substituted for “Nothing . . . shall be construed to prevent” to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (c)(1), the words “may give information” are substituted for “Nor shall it be prohibited . . . to give information” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “firm, corporation” are omitted as unnecessary because firms and corporations are persons. In subsection (c)(2), the words “may not prevent” are substituted for “Nor shall it be prohibited . . . to prevent” to reflect the probable intent of Congress. The words “but the use of such information for any other purpose prohibited by this chapter or any other Act is prohibited” are omitted as unnecessary.

§41103 Disclosure of Information

Summary

Title 46, §41103

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Citations & Metadata