Open Eye

A plain-language record of the U.S. government

117th Congress · Senate

Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022

Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures · Administrative remedies · Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration · Cardiovascular and respiratory health · Civil actions and liability · Competition and antitrust · Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits · Contracts and agency

In plain language

  • Senate bill in the 117th Congress.
  • Revises requirements governing ocean shipping to increase the authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to promote.
  • House passed it on Jun 14, 2022 (substantive).
Official summary (Congressional Research Service)

Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 This act revises requirements governing ocean shipping to increase the authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to promote the growth and development of U.S. exports through an ocean transportation system that is competitive, efficient, and economical. For example, the bill requires the FMC to (1) investigate complaints about detention and demurrage charges (i.e., late fees) charged by common ocean carriers, (2) determine whether those charges are reasonable, and (3) order refunds for unreasonable charges. It also prohibits common ocean carriers, marine terminal operators, or ocean transportation intermediaries from unreasonably refusing cargo space when available or resorting to other unfair or unjustly discriminatory methods.

View this measure on congress.gov

Roll-call votes on this measure