US SHIPPERS FILE OVER 175 COMPLAINTS TO THE FMC
Earlier this month, the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) communicated on new procedures for processing charge complaints which have been filed since the enactment of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 in June, noting that over 175 complaints against ocean carriers have been received.
According to the FMC, U.S. shippers have responded positively to the new opportunity to challenge carrier charges by filing Charge Complaints at the FMC. OSRA came at time when US shippers faced soaring freight charges during the COVID pandemic and were particularly upset over detention and demurrage charges and the alleged refusal of carriers to take US exports.
As a starting point, the FMC intends to investigate all complaints containing sufficient information to carry through an investigation. If the FMC assesses that a carrier has violated regulation, the FMC can order the specific carrier to demonstrate how its prices complied with regulation. If the FMC rules that a carrier has overstepped regulation, the authority can force a refunding of the shipper. The FMC can also launch a process resulting in a potential fine for carriers.
More information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the implementation of the OSRA by the FMC is available via this link.
Source: FMC, ShippingWatch