FMC briefs Chinese on detention, demurrage probe

The U.S-China Bilateral Maritime Consultations also included talks on competition and efficiency in the U.S. container shipping industry.    The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, along with representatives from the Maritime Administration and Coast Guard, met with Chinese counterparts this week in Beijing as part of the annual U.S-China Bilateral Maritime Consultations. 
   On behalf of the FMC, Commissioner Rebecca Dye led discussions on topics related to competition and efficiency within the U.S. container shipping industry. 
   She specifically highlighted the FMC’s Fact Finding 28 Investigation into detention and demurrage charges, as well as developments related to ocean carrier alliances. 
   “Given the significant cargo flows between China and the United States, I hope that any Chinese shippers with evidence of unreasonable practices related to detention and demurrage will contact the commission,” said Dye, who is the lead investigative officer for Fact Finding 28.
   She provided the Chinese delegation with updates to the commission’s Supply Chain Innovation Teams Initiative, which she also spearheaded.
   “Acting on the recommendations I made can increase the effectiveness and competitiveness of the ocean-based supply chain that links not only the United States and China but the economies of the world,” she said.
   MarAd and the Coast Guard delegates addressed issues related to safety, security, disaster response, and research and development in the maritime sector. 
   Representatives from China’s Ministry of Transportation provided briefs on shipping, trade and commercial issues, including improving port infrastructure in the United States. 
   Simultaneous to the bilateral talks, which started Wednesday, the U.S. delegation also attended the Transportation Forum Dialogue this week in Beijing. Dye returns to the United States on Friday.