FMC Met With Lawmakers to Discuss Port Issues

The Federal Maritime Commission met this week with lawmakers and held a separate closed session to discuss its investigation into maritime port issues and reports of carriers declining to accept U.S. exports (see 2011200024). The meetings were the first held under the FMC’s new chairman, Daniel Maffei (see 2103310004), and included an update on the “challenges to the freight delivery system,” the FMC said April 7. Trade groups have complained of unfair detention and demurrage fees and other port issues for months (see 2011170041).

“We must get to the bottom of this situation ASAP and that’s why Commissioner [Rebecca] Dye’s investigation is crucial,” Maffei said in a statement. Maffei said he and Dye met with the leaders of “two important” House subcommittees to discuss the problems. More than 100 lawmakers urged the FMC last month to pursue strong penalties on carriers that decline to carry agricultural exports or violate other shipping regulations (see 2103100027). “These issues clearly have their attention and companies providing ocean transportation services would be well served to voluntarily take steps that address these challenges,” Maffei said.