The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking additional comments on a petition filed by the Lake Carriers’ Association, which said the Canadian government is imposing “unfavorable” conditions on U.S.-Canada shipping and trade. The FMC initially requested comments after receiving the association’s petition in 2020 but announced a new comment period this week because of recent “developments which impact the Commission’s consideration” of the petition. Comments are due March 7.

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The Federal Maritime Commission issued three new policy statements this week to provide the shipping industry more guidance on its complaint process and clarify how it will address cases of carrier retaliation. The shipper-friendly policy statements, originally recommended by Commissioner Rebecca Dye in July (see 2107290021), describe how the FMC defines who can allege complaints, how the commission approaches reparations for attorney fees and a broad outline of who can bring forward a retaliation complaint.

John Butler, CEO of the World Shipping Council, said ocean carriers are getting mixed messages from the White House, which is encouraging carriers and ports to rev up their leverage on buyers and freight forwarders so that they pick up their cargo promptly, and from Congress. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on an Ocean Shipping Reform Act that would give the Federal Maritime Commission more authority to punish players for unreasonable demurrage charges -- the same fees used as leverage.

The Federal Maritime Commission will hold the first meeting of its maritime data initiative (see 2111160006) Dec. 7, which will examine how data constraints are impeding ocean cargo flow and feature the White House's top port adviser. Officials at the meeting -- including John Porcari, port envoy for the White House’s Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force -- will also discuss “the need for data standards and transparency to improve supply chain efficiency,” the FMC said. The virtual meeting will begin at 1 p.m. EST.

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A Senate bill would authorize several recommendations recently made by the Federal Maritime Commission to address issues in the international freight delivery system, including unfair detention and demurrage fees. The bill, introduced last week, would also seek to standardize shipping terminology among port users and require the government to produce more statistics on equipment dwell times.

The White House, in a blog post that noted some wins for easing port congestion, said Congress should provide the Federal Maritime Commission with "an updated toolbox to protect exporters, importers, and consumers from unfair practices." It said that the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in the House in August (see 2108100011), "includes good first steps towards the type of longer-term reform to shipping laws that would strengthen America’s global competitiveness."