Ten Points to Rationalize and Restart the United States Maritime Industry
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) recently announced it was launching a non-adjudicatory investigation into whether foreign vessel flagging laws and practices create unfavorable shipping conditions for the U.S. trade. The...more
Significant changes are expected at the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the bipartisan body tasked with regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers and...more
The Federal Maritime Commission ( FMC) issued its Final Rule on July 22, 2024, establishing its approach to determining what constitutes an unreasonable refusal to deal or negotiate cargo space and vessel space accommodations...more
Starting a cargo shipping business is no small feat; the financial barriers alone can be overwhelming. But for entrepreneurs willing to take on the challenge, the maritime industry has a high potential for reward. For...more
Earlier this week, two U.S. congressmen released proposed language for a bill—the Justice for Victims of Foreign Vessel Accidents Act—that was first announced via press release in August 2024. The proposed law would raise the...more
The Federal Maritime Commission (the “FMC”) issued its Final Rule on July 22, 2024, establishing its approach to determining what constitutes an unreasonable refusal to deal or negotiate cargo space and vessel space...more
On February 26, 2024, the FMC issued its final rule on detention and demurrage billing requirements. On February 27, 2024, our team outlined the practical impact that the Final Rule will have in the article: “A Whole New...more
Following its Feb. 23, 2024, release of a pre-publication draft, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)'s Final Rule on Demurrage and Detention Billing Requirements (Final Rule) was published on Feb. 26, 2024, in the Federal...more
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
The Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC) newly revised tariff regulations will be effective February 1, 2024. These rule changes will somewhat significantly change day-to-day practices for both vessel operating common carriers...more
Marine terminal operators (MTOs) and ocean common carriers became easy targets upon which to cast blame for the port congestion issues and supply chain weaknesses arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic....more
After the June 2022 enactment of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in October 2022, relating to demurrage and detention billing...more
On June 16, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA). OSRA’s objective is to reduce shipping costs and address concerns relating to supply-chain challenges. OSRA provides the Federal...more
In response to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, on 16 June 2022, the U.S. Congress enacted the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA) to increase the authority of the Federal Maritime Commission...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
On June 24, 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission’s Office of the General Counsel issued an opinion on the effective date of the new Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (“OSRA 2022”), Pub. L. 117-146. Per the General Counsel,...more
Since its passage on June 16, 2022, the shipping industry is understandably focused on the implications of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA) (Pub. Law No. 117-146, 2022 Enacted S. 3580), and the rulemakings that...more
On June 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), bipartisan legislation aimed at providing relief to U.S. importers, exporters, freight carriers, port operators and other companies...more
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
Less than two weeks after President Biden officially announced his agreement with the Port of Los Angeles to begin operating 24/7, the ports of LA and Long Beach have decided to implement a new fee for containers sitting at...more
In late May, the Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), a consortium of ocean carriers and terminal operators, filed a petition with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to obtain an antitrust exemption under the U.S....more
The Federal Maritime Commission's (FMC) final rule "Docket No. 19-05, Interpretive Rule on Demurrage and Detention Under the Shipping Act" (Final Rule), which took effect on May 18, 2020, after being published in the Federal...more
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a Final Rule allowing the Commission more flexibility in issuing exemptions with respect to service contracts filed by vessel operating common carriers (VOCCs). 85 Fed. Reg....more
On March 31, 2020, in response to concerns stemming from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) initiated Fact Finding Investigation No. 29, which is aimed at developing improvements to the...more
Note from the Editor - Happy (almost) spring! Every year seems to be a new adventure and a new challenge, and this year, on top of the dramatic new International Maritime Organization 2020 bunker regulations that have now...more