Chairman Maffei Addresses AgTC Annual Meeting

Chairman Daniel B. Maffei delivered the keynote address at the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) Annual Meeting last week, addressing the recently passed Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 and outlining new initiatives implemented by the Commission to mitigate supply chain congestion and related issues.

The remarks were delivered on Wednesday, June 15, in Tacoma, Washington.

Chairman Maffei outlined how the shipping industry has changed since Congress passed the Shipping Act of 1984, stating that the law needs to be updated to reflect current realities of the ocean transportation industry.  He said the Commission will use its new authorities to increase its enforcement activities and to provide more assistance to shippers.

“Whether conducting investigations, bringing more certainty to contracting, achieving more transparency in how trade works, or providing more public assistance and support, the Commission is going to be a much more capable, robust, and active agency as a result of the recently passed Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022,” said Chairman Maffei.

The Chairman thanked America’s agricultural shippers and AgTC for their involvement in the legislation, saying “I trust you all know that I welcome the expanded opportunities for the Federal Maritime Commission to play its active – and I believe – necessary role.”

Also, during his speech, Chairman Maffei announced that the Commission is immediately moving forward with three final recommendations Commissioner Rebecca Dye made at the conclusion of her work on Fact Finding 29:

• Establishing a new and permanent International Ocean Shipping Supply Chain Program to be launched over the summer.
• Re-establishing the Export Rapid Response Team.
• Taking the steps necessary for ocean carriers, marine terminal operators, and operating seaports to employ a designated FMC Compliance Officer.

Commissioner Daniel B. Maffei is a Commissioner with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The thoughts and comments expressed here are his own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission.