Forum set for August 13 in Baltimore

US Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Marine Transportation, will give the keynote address at the Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) seminar on August 13 in Baltimore. The half-day conference will discuss the role of the Federal Maritime Commission in a deregulated environment.

Congressman Cummings has opened a series of sessions based on a report that described the FMC is "an agency that appears to be broken and dysfunctional." Following a recent hearing he had encouraged the Federal Maritime Commission "to focus on effectiveness and efficiency" as it works to create better working conditions for employees. The FMC has been without a Chairman since the resignation of Steve Blust in June 2006.

The half-day program, to take place at the Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, the day before the Baltimore Propeller Club's Annual Crab Feast, brings together several important experts on maritime oversight. A panel discussion will include three former FMC Chairpersons. They include:

  • The Honorable Helen Delich Bentley - Past Chairwoman FMC, former Congresswoman, R-MD
  • Michael B. Berzon - Chair, NIT League Ocean Transportation Committee, President, Marlog Inc.
  • Steve Blust - Immediate Past Chairman, FMC; President, International Institute of Container Lessors
  • Allen Clifford - Executive Vice President, Mediterranean Shipping Company(USA)
  • The Honorable Harold Creel, Jr. - Longest serving FMC Commissioner and Past Chairman
  • Jonathan E. Gold - Vice President, Supply Chain and Customs Policy, National Retail Federation
  • Mary Jo Muoio - President, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America

The forum will begin with registration and continental breakfast at 10 a.m., the keynote at 11 a.m. a networking luncheon at 12, and the panel and speakers at 1 p.m. It will adjourn by 3 p.m. Fees are $150 per person and $125 per person for two or more attending from the same company.