WASHINGTON – In a White House ceremony on June 16, President Biden signed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (S. 3580). The bipartisan and bicameral legislation was based on H.R. 4996, which passed the House in December, and will take key steps toward easing current supply chain challenges by expanding the authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to promote U.S. exports through a maritime system that is transparent, efficient and fair.
Specifically, the act expands safeguards to combat retaliation and deter unfair business practices; clarifies prohibited carrier practices pertaining to detention and demurrage charges and vessel space accommodation; establishes a shipping exchange registry through the FMC; expands penalty authority to include refund of charges; and increases efficiency of the detention and demurrage complaint process.