US Eyes Shipping Reform, Faces Carriers’ Criticism
PRESIDENT BIDEN
Two US congressmen have introduced the “Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021″, the first major update of federal regulations for the global ocean shipping industry since 1998.
The bill was introduced by congressmen John Garamendi (D-CA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) on 10 August, World Maritime New reports.
As explained, the legislation would support American exports by establishing reciprocal trade opportunities to help reduce the United States’ longstanding trade imbalance with China and other countries.
“Congress has not updated federal regulations for the global ocean shipping industry since China was granted permanent, normalized trade relations under the World Trade Organization in 2001. Now is the time to ensure reciprocal opportunities for American exporters in trade with other countries to reduce the United States’ trade imbalance with cheap Asian imports,” Congressman Garamendi said.
“Foreign ocean carriers aren’t playing fair, and American producers are paying the price,” Congressman Dusty Johnson added.
“It’s time for updated rules of the road. That’s what our bill does.”
In March 2021, Congressmen Garamendi and Johnson joined over 100 Members of Congress in a bipartisan letter to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) urging action on unfair, anti-competitive, and likely illegal business practices by some ocean carriers.
In July 2021, the FMC established a new audit program to assess ocean carriers’ compliance with federal regulations on detention and demurrage and to step up the federal agency’s monitoring of the marketplace for ocean cargo services, reports World Maritime News.
About Post Author
