ARLINGTON, VA – National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) President and CEO Eric R. Byer issued a statement after passage of the U.S. Senate’s version of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (S.3580) by the U.S. House of Representatives.

In his statement, Byer said, “The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and global disruptions have all placed immense strain on supply chains throughout our country, including the chemical distribution supply chain. NACD commends the swift and bold action taken by both houses of Congress in crafting this bill, and the bipartisan consensus-building that led to House passage of the Senate version of the bill that, when signed into law, will institute ocean shipping reform that is so necessary for our nation’s economic and national security.

“High ocean cargo shipping rates, anticompetitive practices, and arbitrary decision-making have caused significant price increases and backlogs in delivery times, resulting in product shortages and longer wait times for essential products to make it to market. As a result, businesses like chemical distributors have faced significant challenges obtaining the vital chemicals used in goods that support everyday life, while consumers have faced shortages and rising prices.

“The legislation passed today will strengthen the Federal Maritime Commission’s current ocean shipping enforcement abilities, expanding its authority to ensure industry-wide compliance with federal law, and establishing a streamlined process for addressing demurrage and detention complaints. It will also give the General Accounting Office the tools it needs to investigate the extent to which ocean carriers have systemically discriminated against the transportation of dangerous goods.

“NACD thanks Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD) and the entire House and Senate for their leadership on this critical issue.”

For more information about NACD, visit www.nacd.com.