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Archive for 2021
Statement by Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel on Commission Vote on Demurrage and Detention and Notice of Proposed Rule Making
Last week, the Commission voted to potentially consider further industry guidance on reasonable practices governing the issuance of demurrage and detention charges. Specifically, FMC staff was charged with the development of an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that would seek industry views on whether the Commission should require common… Read More »
FMC to Issue Guidance on Complaint Proceedings and Seek Comments on Demurrage and Detention Billings
The Federal Maritime Commission has voted to move forward with two demurrage-and-detention related initiatives proposed by Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye as part of Fact Finding 29. Unlike Commissioner Dye’s other Interim Recommendations, these initiatives required formal Commission approval. The first initiative is to issue a policy statement on issues that… Read More »
FMC Announces National Shipper Advisory Committee Membership
The Federal Maritime Commission today announced the membership of its newly formed National Shipper Advisory Committee. The Committee is comprised of 24 members, evenly divided between those who export cargo from and those who import cargo to the United States, that will advise the Commission on policies relating to the… Read More »
International Shipping Competition Agencies Meet
Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Daniel B. Maffei joined his colleagues from the European Union and the People’s Republic of China for the fifth biennial meeting of the Global Regulatory Summit to discuss competition issues related to the shipping industry. The meeting was hosted by the European Commission and held virtually… Read More »
Statement by Commissioner Carl Bentzel on Concerns About the Availability of Ocean Shipping to the Chemical Supply Chain and Related Impacts on the U.S. Manufacturing Base
During a recent meeting with chemical distributors, Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel heard concerns about systemic reductions for hazardous materials transportation via ocean. Specifically, distributors source chemical products from manufacturers overseas and sell them to diverse customers in the United States across all industries that use these chemicals to produce a… Read More »
FMC Commissioner Carl Bentzel Convenes Port Operation and Supply Chain Transparency Roundtables in California
During the week of August 30, Federal Maritime Commission Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel is convening a series of roundtable discussions in Northern and Southern California with Congressman Alan Lowenthal, industry leaders, shippers and the State of California. The discussions will focus on the myriad of supply chain challenges such as… Read More »
JULY 2021 ACTIVITY REPORT
STATEMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS FMC Establishes Ocean Carriers Audit Program The Federal Maritime Commission established a new audit program and dedicated audit team to assess carrier compliance with the Agency’s rule on detention and demurrage as well as to provide additional information beneficial to the regular monitoring of the marketplace for… Read More »
FMC Invites Comments on Proposed Rule Addressing Cruise Line Non-Performance and Refunds
The Federal Maritime Commission seeks public comment on a proposed rule to amend its regulations governing non-performance by Passenger Vessel Operators (PVO/cruise lines) and establishing new requirements for when cruise passengers should be provided refunds for cancelled or delayed voyages. The proposed changes are outlined in a Notice of Proposed… Read More »
Letter of Commissioner Sola to President Joe Biden
Commissioner Louis E. Sola wrote to President Joe Biden on August 9, 2021 regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations and cruise travel. The text of the letter is below. Dear President Biden: Thank you for your leadership in battling the COVID-19 pandemic, which is the health scourge of our lifetime. Your tireless efforts… Read More »
Commission Questions Shipping Lines About Surcharges
The Federal Maritime Commission has launched an expedited inquiry into the timing and legal sufficiency of ocean carrier practices with respect to certain surcharges. Eight ocean carriers are being asked to provide the Commission’s Bureau of Enforcement (BoE) with details about congestion or related surcharges they have implemented or announced…. Read More »