Archive for 2021

Letter of Commissioners Bentzel & Sola Seeking Information on Houston Channel Restrictions

On March 2, 2021, Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel and Louis E. Sola sent a letter to Mr. Ric Campo, Chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority, and Captain Reginal McKamie, Chairman of Houston Pilot Board, inquiring about how the Houston Ship Channel Large Vessel Restriction statute… Read More »

Letter of Commissioners Maffei and Bentzel to Great Lakes Governors

Last week, Commissioners Maffei and Bentzel sent letters to the Governors of Great Lakes states urging them to prioritize the vaccination of the maritime workforce to protect the Nation’s supply chain in preparation for the upcoming start to the Great Lakes shipping season when the Soo Locks open on March… Read More »

Statement of Commissioner Sola: Commending the Bipartisan Efforts to Address Resumption of Cruises to Alaska

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Peter DeFazio and Congressman Don Young for their leadership in the effort to convince the Canadian authorities to work with the cruise industry to address Canada’s legitimate health concerns without hindering the resumption of sailings between the ports in Alaska… Read More »

Statement of Commissioners Maffei and Bentzel: Urging Governors to Prioritize Maritime Worker Vaccinations

This week, Commissioners Maffei and Bentzel sent letters to the Governors of major port states urging them to prioritize the vaccination of the maritime workforce to protect the Nation’s supply chain. Letters were sent to the Governors of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina,… Read More »

Statement of Commissioners Maffei and Sola: Op-Ed, Supply Chain Dive

Commissioners Maffei and Sola released the below op-ed, published by Supply Chain Dive on March 2, 2021. In this piece, the Commissioners urged cooperation to find solutions to the current global congestion crisis. Opinion: Global Cooperation Can Resolve Shipping Industry Woes The word “unprecedented” has almost lost its meaning as… Read More »

JANUARY 2021 ACTIVITY REPORT

STATEMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Commission Issues Proposed Rule on Service Contract Filing Relief The FMC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that, if adopted, will permit ocean carriers to file original service contracts at the agency up to 30 days after going into effect. Maximum Penalty Fees Adjusted The FMC announced… Read More »

Commissioner Maffei Visits Port Newark Container Terminal

On February 24th, Commissioner Daniel B. Maffei visited the Port of New York and New Jersey for a meeting with Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) staff and a tour of the Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT). Commissioner Maffei met with executives from the PANYNJ for Port… Read More »

Commissioner Bentzel Interviewed on CNBC

Commissioner Carl Bentzel appeared on the CNBC show “The Exchange” where he spoke with host Brian Sullivan on the topic of “Why shipping container costs are soaring”. The segment aired on February 10, 2021 and a video of the interview can be viewed at: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2021/02/10/why-shipping-container-costs-are-soaring.html

Statement by Commissioner Bentzel on the Commission’s Demand Order

I strongly support the FMC moving forward on the information demand orders. The impact of COVID-19 has clearly taken a toll and disrupted everyday life in our country, and our maritime operations have not been spared. Today, in the news, it was reported that over 60 large ships lay at… Read More »

Information Demand on Detention & Demurrage Practices to Be Issued

Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye will issue information demand orders to ocean carriers and marine terminal operators (MTOs) to determine if legal obligations related to detention and demurrage practices are being met. The orders are being issued under the authority Commissioner Dye has as the Fact Finding Officer for Fact Finding… Read More »