The Federal Maritime Commission is “carefully” reviewing fees and other surcharges announced, implemented or suspended by ocean carriers and terminal operators during labor strikes at U.S. East and Gulf coast port terminals earlier this month (see 2410010048), the commission said Oct. 11. The FMC’s said it's examining those fees’ “relevance and legality,” adding that all charges “must be reasonable, clearly defined, and serve a specific measurable purpose.” Shippers or other parties who believe they were wrongly billed should contact the FMC to try to resolve their dispute, report an alleged legal violation or file a complaint, the FMC said.

A Federal Maritime Commission administrative law judge this week dismissed a Los Angeles-based shipper’s complaint against ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd, saying the FMC has no jurisdiction because the case has “no nexus to a port in the United States.”

A Federal Maritime Commission small claims officer this week dismissed a complaint against CMA CGM, saying that shipper Sameh Elawamry failed to show that the ocean carrier did anything improper in its unsuccessful delivery of two vehicles to Egypt.

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).

Hong Kong carrier Bal Container Line Co. Ltd. and U.S. terminal operator SSA have jointly asked the Federal Maritime Commission to approve a confidential agreement that would settle Bal’s complaint against SSA over congestion surcharges, according to a notice released by the FMC this week.

International Lumber Imports (ILI) has voluntarily dismissed the complaint it filed with the Federal Maritime Commission in August accusing logistics firm CEVA Freight and ocean carrier ZIM Integrated Shipping Service Ltd. of charging “unreasonable” detention fees (see 2408270016), according to a notice released by the FMC last week. ILI, CEVA and ZIM didn’t respond to requests for comment on the dismissal.

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.

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.

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.

Two more commissioners with the Federal Maritime Commission said they don’t necessarily support a new vessel-sharing agreement between major ocean carriers Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, and they’re frustrated they didn’t have longer to review the agreement before it took effect Sept. 9.