Maersk to Charge Detention Directly to Shippers Ahead of FMC Rule Change
Beginning April 1, Maersk will begin invoicing shippers directly for detention charges instead of charging motor carriers by default, it said in a March 6 client advisory. "This change will support our aim to provide timely and accurate detention invoicing to the correct party," the advisory said.
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The move comes as the Federal Maritime Commission finalizes new detention and demurrage billing requirements, with the commission working under a June 16 statutory deadline (see 2301100034). FMC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking in October 2022 that would require detention and demurrage charges to be issued only to the person that contracted with the billing party (see 2210070079).
“With the FMC’s ongoing rulemaking process, we’re aiming to line up a better billing process that helps truckers and customers,” a Maersk spokesperson said, according to a March 8 Journal of Commerce report. The FMC didn't comment.
Maersk said in the advisory that it can continue to bill motor carriers at the client's request, so long as that request is made by March 15. If the request is granted, it will apply to all invoices for the client company, Maersk said. "For those that prefer the consignee being billed, there is no need to take any action at this time," Maersk said.