The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced a notice of action on fees for operators of Chinese-built ships and vessel owners and operators of China after it issued a proposed notice with fees and restrictions on maritime...more
4/25/2025
/ China ,
Contract Disputes ,
Frustration of a Common Purpose ,
Impracticability ,
International Trade ,
Maritime Transport ,
Ports ,
Shipping ,
Tariffs ,
Trade Relations ,
USTR ,
Vessels
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on April 17, 2025, announced its long-awaited final proposed measures to combat China's dominance in the maritime sector by imposing fees on Chinese-linked ships.
Public criticism of...more
4/22/2025
/ China ,
Executive Orders ,
Fees ,
International Trade ,
Maritime Transport ,
Ports ,
Section 301 ,
Shipping ,
Tariffs ,
Trade Policy ,
USTR ,
Vessels
Topic Links Maritime trade is essential to America's economic viability and national security interests. The U.S. Marine Transportation System (MTS) – comprising an intricate system of ports, terminals, vessels, waterways and...more
3/21/2024
/ Biden Administration ,
Coast Guard ,
Cyber Espionage ,
Cybersecurity ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Espionage ,
Executive Orders ,
Maritime Transport ,
Ports ,
Risk Mitigation ,
Vessels
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. – William Arthur Ward The U.S. maritime industry is much like a great ship: It is subject to unforeseen forces, and it...more
1/12/2024
/ China ,
Climate Change ,
Economic Sanctions ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Federal Maritime Commission ,
Geopolitical Risks ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Greenwashing ,
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ,
Iran ,
Maritime Transport ,
Military Conflict ,
Oil Prices ,
Popular ,
Presidential Elections ,
Russia ,
Shipping ,
Shipping Cargo ,
Vessels
The U.S. maritime industry is steeped in tradition and sometimes takes a conservative approach to change. Even when the industry has protocols in place to ensure safety of mariners, in some cases it takes an act of...more
11/30/2023
/ Coast Guard ,
Compliance ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Maritime Transport ,
New Guidance ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Policy Statement ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Safety Standards ,
Sexual Assault ,
Sexual Harassment ,
Statutory Requirements ,
Surveillance ,
Vessels
Many legal questions have been raised during the last 120 hours; initially when communications had been lost with Titan, a submersible operated by OceanGate Inc., a corporation based in Everett, Washington, and then on the...more
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) announced on Sept. 13, 2022, that it is seeking public comment on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) addressing what constitutes an unreasonable refusal to deal or negotiate with...more
The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) has released SHIPSALE 22, a new standard contract form for use by commercial sellers and purchasers of vessels. SHIPSALE 22 is intended to replace the popular SALEFORM...more
As sanctions continue to ratchet up in response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, global responses in the maritime sector are moving at breakneck speed. Indeed, several governments are taking steps to block vessels...more
3/4/2022
/ Asset Seizure ,
Biden Administration ,
Canada ,
Coast Guard ,
Economic Sanctions ,
Foreign Policy ,
Ports ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Russia ,
UK ,
Ukraine ,
Vessels
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC or the Commission) met during both open and closed session on Jan. 27, 2022, to discuss the Commission's efforts to address ocean carriers' detention and demurrage practices, as well as...more
2/8/2022
/ Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) ,
Antitrust Division ,
Biden Administration ,
Common Carriers ,
Competition ,
Criminal Prosecution ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Executive Orders ,
Federal Maritime Commission ,
Maritime Transport ,
Memorandum of Understanding ,
Shipping ,
Shipping Cargo ,
Vessels
Cargo congestion has reached historic proportions during the COVID-19 pandemic as the demand for imports by U.S. consumers and businesses has skyrocketed combined with an increase in operational disruptions. The effect has...more
International seaborne transportation is a primary driver of international trade and the global economy, with approximately 80 percent of global trade by volume carried by ships at sea. The shipping sector has experienced...more
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) earlier this year for the first time expressly found that the Jones Act applies to transportation of merchandise from a U.S. port to a location on the U.S. outer continental shelf...more