House passes bill to ease supply-chain challenges

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (H.R. 4996), which aims to help ease the nation’s supply-chain challenges.

Introduced by U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.), the bipartisan bill would increase the Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC) authorizations by 10% over the previous fiscal year, and strengthen the agency’s oversight and enforcement authority, according to a press release issued by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Commitee.

Specifically, the legislation would:
• update FMC authority to ensure fairness in ocean carrier contracts;
• establish a shipping exchange registry through the FMC;
• require a new process for detention and demurrage charges;
• provide safeguards to combat retaliation and deter unfair business practices;
• direct a study to examine options for efficient cargo information sharing;
• improve the congressionally authorized National Shipper Advisory Committee; and
• add an annual reporting requirement on anticompetitive and nonreciprocal trade practices.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.