The US Congress (US Senate and House of Representatives) has just adopted a bill reforming maritime transport. The aim is to respond to the crisis of confidence between shippers and carriers.
This bill aims to take " measures against unfair, anti-competitive and probably illegal business practices of certain shipping carriers ».
The request was prompted by recurring complaints from American shippers, who accused nine shipping companies of favouring more profitable Asia-North America routes.
According to them, repatriating more empty containers to China has been to the detriment of the loading of American exports, starting with cereals.
The law now prohibits certain practices regarding demurrage (exceeding the time limit) and container detention fees. The FMC (Federal Maritime Commission) can thus " prohibit the refusal of export cargoes if the containers can be loaded safely and within a reasonable time"
Justify the pricing policy
Three European companies (CMA CGM, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd) are the subject of an open investigation: the Control and Reform Commission of the Congress asks them in particular to justify their pricing policy, including on surcharges, and to explain the reasons for their profits " stand-out materials "By not publishing its results, MSC is not targeted by the procedure.
A report, entitled Lowering Prices and Leveling the Playing Field in Ocean Shipping, indicates that " Major ocean freight companies have increased spot rates for shipping goods between Asia and the United States by 100% since January 2020 and by more than 1.000% for shipping goods between the United States and Asia over the same period. ».
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