46 CFR § 535.201 - Subject agreements.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s535.201"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 535.201 - Subject agreements."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "535.201"
section_name: "Subject agreements."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "REGULATIONS AFFECTING OCEAN SHIPPING IN FOREIGN COMMERCE"
part_number: "535"
part_name: "OCEAN COMMON CARRIER AND MARINE TERMINAL OPERATOR AGREEMENTS SUBJECT TO THE SHIPPING ACT OF 1984"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 553; 46 U.S.C., 40101-40104, 40301-40307, 40501-40503, 40901-40904, 41101-41109, 41301-41302, and 41305-41307, 46105."
regulatory_source: "69 FR 64414, Nov. 4, 2004, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "535"
---


# 535.201 Subject agreements.

(a) *Ocean common carrier agreements.* This part applies to agreements by or among ocean common carriers to:

(1) Discuss, fix, or regulate transportation rates, including through rates, cargo space accommodations, and other conditions of service;

(2) Pool or apportion traffic, revenues, earnings, or losses;

(3) Allot ports or restrict or otherwise regulate the number and character of sailings between ports;

(4) Limit or regulate the volume or character of cargo or passenger traffic to be carried;

(5) Engage in exclusive, preferential, or cooperative working arrangements among themselves or with one or more marine terminal operators;

(6) Control, regulate, or prevent competition in international ocean transportation; or

(7) Discuss and agree on any matter related to service contracts.

(b) *Marine terminal operator agreements.* This part applies to agreements among marine terminal operators and among one or more marine terminal operators and one or more ocean carriers to:

(1) Discuss, fix, or regulate rates or other conditions of service; or

(2) Engage in exclusive, preferential, or cooperative working arrangements, to the extent that such agreements involve ocean transportation in the foreign commerce of the United States.