US non vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) have won their battle for exemption from a requirement to publish the rates they charge for cargo shipments.

Last week, the Federal Maritime Commission voted three to one in favour of exempting licensed NVOCCs from publishing their rates, which could save many of them up to US$200,000 a year.

Commission chairman Richard Lidinsky said: ��I believe this is one of the most significant commission actions since Congress passed the Shipping Act in 1984.