A Federal Maritime Commission administrative law judge has approved a confidential agreement to settle allegations by Giti Tire USA that San Francisco-based Flexport International charged unfair detention and demurrage fees and millions of dollars in other "accessorial charges" at unreasonable rates, according to an FMC notice released Jan. 24. “The parties have determined that the settlement reasonably resolves the issues raised in the complaint without the need for costly and uncertain litigation,” the judge wrote. Giti filed its complaint against Flexport in May (see 2405200019). Flexport, a non-vessel-operating common carrier, denied Giti’s allegations (see 2405210036).
President Donald Trump has chosen Louis Sola to chair the Federal Maritime Commission, the White House announced. Sola, previously an FMC commissioner, replaces Daniel Maffei, who is now listed as an FMC commissioner on the FMC’s website. Maffei chaired the FMC as it worked to implement a range of rulemakings as part of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, including new rules governing unreasonable carrier conduct (see 2407220019) and detention and demurrage billing requirements (see 2402230049).
Illinois-based Euromarket Designs Inc., the parent company of furniture store chain Crate & Barrel, has accused several ocean carriers of failing to meet their service contract commitments and charging tens of millions of dollars in unfair fees, according to a complaint released by the Federal Maritime Commission Jan. 8.
The New York-based entity formerly known as Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has accused Hong Kong-based carrier BAL Container Line Co. of charging “unjust and unreasonable” demurrage and detention fees during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a complaint released by the Federal Maritime Commission Jan. 8.
The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) led a group of more than 20 shippers and trade associations in urging the Federal Maritime Commission Dec. 3 to implement the proposed Maritime Transportation Data System (MTDS) through a rulemaking.
The Federal Maritime Commission urged carriers and terminal operators not to retaliate against shippers for questioning an invoice or filing a complaint with the FMC, warning the cargo shipping industry this week that it will pursue serious penalties against those that violate the anti-retaliation provisions of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.
The Federal Maritime Commission reminded the shipping industry that it will continue to enforce its regulations and offer dispute resolution services amid ongoing labor strikes at U.S. East and Gulf coast port terminals (see 2410010048).
Statutes and regulations administered by the Federal Maritime Commission will remain in effect if International Longshoremen’s Association members go on strike next week at container terminals at East and Gulf coast ports, the FMC said in an industry advisory Sept. 23.
The Federal Maritime Commission denied a request from a group of ocean carriers to delay its recently issued final rule on demurrage and detention billing requirements, saying the delay would impede orders from Congress and would lead to more confusion within the shipping industry.
TPG Pressure, a U.S. supplier of construction equipment and services that accused U.S.-based Omni Logistics in 2022 of charging unsubstantiated and unlawful demurrage fees (see 2212020027), isn't entitled to compensation, an administrative law judge ruled last week.