Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) Group Supplemental (FMC-69) Sole Prop or Partnership Bond
Overview
Applying for or renewing your Ocean Transportation Intermediary license as a sole proprietor or partnership triggers a specific federal bonding requirement through the Federal Maritime Commission. If your OTI operation is structured as a sole proprietorship or partnership and participates in a group bond program, the FMC-69 Supplemental Bond is the instrument that satisfies your individual obligation within that arrangement. This bond runs alongside — not instead of — a group master bond, filling the gap that covers your specific business entity. Filing it correctly with the FMC keeps your OTI authority active and your business legally compliant.
Who Needs This Bond?
If you operate as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) or freight forwarder structured as a sole proprietorship or partnership, and you are enrolled in a group OTI bond program, you need this supplemental bond. The Federal Maritime Commission requires each participating sole prop or partnership within a group arrangement to file a separate FMC-69 Supplemental Bond to establish their individual financial responsibility. This is not a bond for corporations or LLCs — it is specifically designed for unincorporated business structures entering the group bond framework. If your OTI license application or renewal requires the FMC-69 and your business is a sole prop or partnership, this is your bond.
What is this Bond For?
This bond protects shippers, exporters, and other parties who rely on your intermediary services from financial harm caused by your failure to fulfill your obligations as a licensed OTI. The Federal Maritime Commission mandates the bond as a condition of operating as a licensed ocean freight forwarder or NVOCC in U.S. commerce. Within a group bond structure, the supplemental bond ensures that your specific sole proprietorship or partnership carries its own defined layer of financial accountability. It is a regulatory instrument — not a contract bond — and its purpose is to back the FMC's licensing standards for intermediaries in international ocean shipping.
When is it Required?
Renewal and ongoing maintenance of your OTI license means this bond must remain continuously in force — a lapse can trigger suspension of your federal authority. You must have this bond on file before the FMC will activate or reinstate your OTI license as a sole prop or partnership within a group program. If your business structure changes or your group program membership changes, the FMC may require updated bond filings. Any gap in coverage puts your ability to legally arrange international ocean freight shipments at risk.
Where Does it Apply?
This is a federal bond filed with the Federal Maritime Commission, so it applies to OTI operations throughout U.S. commerce — not limited to any single state. Ocean transportation intermediaries operating under FMC jurisdiction must comply regardless of where in the country their business is physically located. The FMC-69 Supplemental Bond covers your activity as an intermediary in the international ocean freight market under federal authority.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' and Bond Titan will open the secure surety portal in a new tab where you can complete your application immediately. Enter your business details as a sole proprietor or partnership, confirm the bond type, and submit — the process is built for speed. Once approved, your bond document is ready for filing with the Federal Maritime Commission.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency and built specifically so OTI operators can get bonded without waiting on an agent callback or navigating a confusing process. Our nationwide catalog includes federal FMC bonds alongside thousands of state and local bonds — all available through one fast online platform. You get the bond you need, on your schedule, from a team that knows the transportation and carrier bond market.