FMC Launches Special Investigation to Protect Hazmat Exporters from Potential Discrimination

The Federal Maritime Commission launched Special Investigation No. 26-01 on April 15, 2026, examining whether vessel-operating common carrier (VOCC) practices relating to hazardous cargo — including radioactive cargo — discriminate against U.S. exporters. The FMC's Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations and Compliance (BEIC) will gather information from 11 named VOCCs on their rules for accepting hazardous cargo and any exclusive packaging or preparation agreements. The investigation also covers whether such practices constitute unreasonable refusals to deal under the Shipping Act of 1984.

Read full article at Holland & Knight

Industry NewsReuters

2d ago

Strait of Hormuz Crisis: 95% Collapse in Shipping Traffic Disrupts Global Container Trade

The Strait of Hormuz — through which approximately 20% of global oil supplies and 10.7% of the global container fleet by TEU capacity transits — has seen a 95% collapse in shipping traffic following Iran's seizure of container ships and escalating military tensions. As of April 24, 2026, only five ships passed through the strait in a 24-hour period. Iran's Revolutionary Guard seized two container ships attempting transit 'without authorization.' More than 34,000 vessels have diverted routes since the crisis began, with many rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing transit times and costs. The FMC has issued a statement monitoring the impact on U.S. shippers.

Read full article at Reuters

Regulatory UpdateYahoo Finance / FreightWaves

5d ago

FMC Chair DiBella: 'The U.S. Has Lost Its Maritime Focus' — Calls for Strategic Overhaul

Federal Maritime Commission Chair Laura DiBella, six months into her term, warned in a wide-ranging interview that the United States has lost its strategic maritime focus at a critical moment in global trade. DiBella emphasized that virtually every major global conflict or geopolitical issue now incorporates the maritime space, and called for greater investment in port automation, supply chain resilience, and FMC enforcement capacity. She noted the FMC is actively monitoring the Strait of Hormuz crisis and its impact on U.S. importers and exporters, and signaled continued aggressive use of the Commission's investigative and enforcement powers under OSRA 2022.

Read full article at Yahoo Finance / FreightWaves

Regulatory UpdateIAM / FreightWaves

6d ago

FMC Rejects Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and Zim Requests for Emergency Fuel Surcharge Waivers

The Federal Maritime Commission has again rejected requests by four major ocean carriers — CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, and Zim — to waive the mandatory 30-day waiting period for implementing emergency fuel surcharges following the Iran conflict. FMC Chair Laura DiBella stated that carriers had clear advance visibility that war risk could increase fuel costs and failed to show 'good cause' under statutory requirements. Shippers with locked service contracts benefit from the 30-day buffer, during which carriers must absorb the increased costs before passing them on.

Read full article at IAM / FreightWaves

Regulatory UpdateFederal Register / GovInfo

Apr 14, 2026

FMC Issues New Carrier Agreement Filings Under Shipping Act — April 2026 Federal Register

The Federal Maritime Commission published notice in the Federal Register (Vol. 91, No. 72, April 15, 2026) of new ocean carrier agreement filings under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties have the opportunity to submit comments on the filed agreements. The notice reflects ongoing FMC oversight of carrier cooperation arrangements, which must be filed with the Commission and reviewed for compliance with the Shipping Act's prohibitions on anticompetitive practices. Parties with concerns about specific agreement provisions are encouraged to submit comments during the statutory review period.

Read full article at Federal Register / GovInfo

Court DecisionMaritime Logistics Professional

Mar 30, 2026

D.C. Circuit Upholds FMC Rule on Carrier Refusals to Deal — World Shipping Council Challenge Rejected

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the Federal Maritime Commission's rule defining when ocean carriers unlawfully refuse to negotiate or provide vessel space, rejecting a challenge from the World Shipping Council (WSC). The rule, issued under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA), requires carriers to submit annual 'documented export policies' and allows the FMC to treat extremely high freight rates as evidence of bad-faith negotiation. The WSC, representing carriers controlling ~90% of global liner capacity, argued the rule exceeded FMC authority. The court's ruling reinforces FMC's expanded oversight under OSRA and signals that carrier pricing strategies may face scrutiny if they appear to block market access.

Read full article at Maritime Logistics Professional

Ocean Transportation News