TIA Statement on FMC Letter to the World Shipping Council

On December 16, 2020, Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel and Daniel B. Maffei urged leadership at the World Shipping Council to continue to balance trade among membership countries. This request comes as reports that ocean carriers are refusing the carriage of U.S. exports. The Commissioners noted that U.S. exporters should not bear the entire burden of volume fluctuations and surges in this unusual year for the industry and emphasized that “it is imperative that we strive for a balanced trade to keep our supply chain fully effective and efficient, while maintaining vital export opportunities for the U.S. agriculture and manufacturing bases.”

 The Commissioners went further to state:

We want to stress the point that in responding to import cargo challenges, ocean carriers should not lose sight of their common carriage obligations to provide service to U.S. exporters. We urge vigorous action, consistent within the bounds of existing law and regulation, to protect U.S. exporters. As our ports experience unprecedented cargo surges, it is imperative that we strive for a balanced trade to keep our supply chain fully effective and efficient, while maintaining vital export opportunities for the U.S. agriculture and manufacturing bases.

TIA has recently met with the FMC Commissioners on a wide variety of issues, including the Interpretative Rule on Detention and Demurrage. Additionally, all the Commissioners noted that exports were a top priority for them in 2021 and finding some industry solutions, rather than resorting to a regulatory one. 

 To view the letter, please click here.

 If you have any questions, please contact advocacy@tianet.org.