Container carriers’ request to extend the compliance deadline for new federal billing requirements is being vigorously opposed by their customers.
Shippers say a new Federal Maritime Commission rule meant to make billing more transparent will instead cause them more headaches.
Regulators have imposed new billing standards on ocean carriers that shippers consider a “major step” toward eliminating abuse.
Federal regulators have codified provisions of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act that may extract more compensation from ocean carriers for rule violations.
Ocean carriers will be subject to stricter requirements when they charge shippers fees on late containers if a proposed rule is adopted.
Trucking companies want the FMC to require better container storage data from the ocean carriers to speed cargo flow at the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Federal regulators are pressuring carriers at the Port of New York and New Jersey to compensate shippers and carriers for container storage.
A top regulator says more staff is needed to properly carry out new ocean carrier reforms signed into law by President Joe Biden.
New guidance from the Federal Maritime Commission on disputing ocean carrier charges is considered a “landmark moment” by U.S. exporters.
Container market experts advise carriers and shippers to act quickly now that new rules regulating ocean shipping are in effect.
President Biden plans to sign into law the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, the first ocean shipping regulations passed by Congress since 1998.
FMC rulemakings and reports included in the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 will begin taking shape soon after the bill is enacted. Here’s a breakdown.
“We are pleased with this settlement as it creates a common understanding in close cooperation and coordination with the authority on the future handling of demurrage and detention charges in the U.S.,” Hapag-Lloyd said.
U.S. export lobbyist Peter Friedmann discusses setbacks and progress made by shippers as they struggle to maintain market share overseas.
The FMC is considering minimum billing standards for late fees charged by ocean carriers for picking up and returning containers.
Bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would give maritime regulators power to shift the carrier-shipper balance.
The container shipping surge shows no signs of letup, but the Southern California ports say they are slowly clearing out the backlogs.
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are turning into makeshift warehouses. Officials hope new fines on lingering cargo will end the practice.
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach haven’t informed federal regulators yet about their plans to hit ocean carriers with big fees for excessive storage of containers.
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are turning to heavy-handed tactics to address a container logjam that is gumming up supply chains.
Shippers, carriers and logistics companies aren’t getting many answers yet about hefty surcharges for lingering containers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The Los Angeles/Long Beach cargo community is confused about punitive fees on ocean carriers designed to expedite the clearance of containers from marine terminals.
Ocean carrier detention and demurrage practices will be the target of an upcoming proposed rule from the Federal Maritime Commission.
The CEO of BookYourCargo explains how reform could help improve demurrage and detention chargebacks.
GCCA’s Lowell Randel explains how industry and government can fix driver shortages, port congestion and cyber threats.
Bipartisan bill in Congress makes reforms to U.S. shipping regulations for the first time since 1998.
“Be careful what you wish for,” warns industry expert Lars Jensen of proposals to rein in container shipping’s boom.
U.S. food trade group tells maritime regulators that carrier profits do not justify added fees.
Shippers call on lawmakers to expand government oversight of contracts between ocean carriers and their customers.
Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel discusses the agency’s options in regulating rates and service amid the booming U.S. container supply chain.
The World Shipping Council responds to assertions from FMC commissioners of potential Shipping Act violations.
The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America’s general counsel Ed Greenberg looks forward to spending time with his grandson.
Container chassis management model in the U.S. challenges advancement of full-circle tracking technologies.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission wants to learn the extent of allegations that ocean carriers are targeting noncontracted service providers for freight payment.
U.S. Federal Maritime Commission steps forward with notice of inquiry to evaluate alleged ocean carrier abuse of “merchant” definition for bill of lading responsibility.
U.S. Federal Maritime Commissioner Rebecca Dye said Fact Finding 29’s work will help the American ocean shipping industry better prepare the supply chain for the post-virus economic recovery.
Shippers and forwarders will be cautious with how much cargo they commit to the ocean container carriers this contract season, industry experts say.
Regulatory guidance is expected to be significant to American shippers facing container availability charges from carriers and marine terminals during COVID-19 pandemic.
No one was prepared for the global shipping disruption caused by COVID-19, but Mike Meierkort said Damco’s resiliency program is “the closest thing to having a playbook.”
FIATA questions the reasonableness of assessing demurrage and detention charges against shippers and forwarders during pandemic.
Commissioner Rebecca Dye will lead the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission effort with industry to identify “operational solutions to cargo delivery challenges” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission’s legal staff is expected to deliver its final demurrage and detention rulemaking assessment to the commissioners in the next several weeks.
“With ongoing challenges posed by the coronavirus, there is real concern about these fees being assessed when there are equipment issues beyond the control of the shipper or motor carrier,” 67 trade associations told the Federal Maritime Commission.
“Right now, I believe most ocean carriers and marine terminal operators are acting responsibly and fairly in these challenging conditions,” FMC Commissioner Daniel Maffei said.
“As long as there continues to be a lack of cargo and documentation handling in the ports due to the virus, our exporters and importers shouldn’t be on the hook for per diem or demurrage charges,” AgTC Executive Director Peter Friedmann said.
The Agriculture Transportation Coalition has developed service contract guidance its members can use to set parameters for when ocean carriers should issue or withhold detention and demurrage charges.
Shippers and NVOs urge the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission to implement the interpretive rule, while ocean carriers and marine terminals say it needs further refining.
U.S. Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Michael Khouri talks with American Shipper about priority container shipping regulatory issues for fiscal year 2020.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission does not expect easy answers to the question of how to fairly assess demurrage and detention when Customs and Border Protection holds containers.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a proposed rule to promote “just and reasonable” demurrage and detention charges.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission set the new comment deadline for its notice of proposed interpretive rule to address demurrage and detention practices to Oct. 31.
The AgTC asked the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission to extend the comment deadline to Oct. 31, calling the rule “the most relevant and far-reaching initiative taken by the FMC in many years.”
The Federal Maritime Commission welcomes container shipping industry’s comments on recommendations to bring clarity and fairness to the assessment of demurrage and detention fees.
The U.S. container shipping industry is eager to weigh in on recommendations produced and approved by the Federal Maritime Commission that promise to bring clarity and fairness to the assessment of demurrage and detention fees.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission on Sept. 6 unanimously approved a set of recommendations to bring about fairness in the way demurrage and detention fees are administered by ocean carriers and marine terminal operators against American shippers. Commissioner Rebecca Dye delivered her recommendations to Chairman Michael Khouri and Commissioners Daniel Maffei and Louis Sola for […]
Regulators frustrated by carriers’ lack of candor in justifying service fees
Lawmakers heard how costly fees and equipment shortages along the supply chain are hurting exports.
In partnership with Reliance Partners …When incurring demurrage and detention charges, shippers and carriers lose out on hundreds of dollars per diem. Optimizing drayage operations and dispatching cargo as quickly as possible could help in reducing the burden, especially during unanticipated port delays.
