Ocean Shipping Reform bill awaits Biden’s signature

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act passed the House Monday and awaits President Biden’s signature.

The bill passed the House on a 369-42 margin and would require ocean carriers to certify the detention and demurrage charges comply with federal regulations.  The bill also shifts the burden of proof for unreasonable detention and demurrage from the invoiced party to the ocean carriers and prohibits the carriers from unreasonably declining to accept U.S. exports.  The legislation would also require ocean carriers to report quarterly on total import and export tonnage, and authorize the Federal Maritime Commission to self-initiate investigations into a carrier’s business practices.

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