Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis Sola is “confident” Panama will take needed steps to minimize future disruptions to the Panama Canal after a drought lowered water levels and impacted supply chains in recent months (see 2401180050), Sola said in a press release this week. Sola, who recently visited with Panamanian officials alongside FMC Chair Daniel Maffei (see 2407290041), said there will “always” be supply chain challenges but that he is “optimistic that continuing collaboration between the FMC and key officials in Panama will result in improving the efficiencies of this critical global trade route,” the release said.

Members of the Federal Maritime Commission are traveling to the Panama Canal this week to examine the supply chain aftereffects from a recent drought (see 2401180050). The FMC also will review the measures the Panamanian government and the Panama Canal Authority “have identified to improve the infrastructure of the Canal and make it more resilient to any future disruptions, particularly droughts.”

The Federal Maritime Commission continues to consider a request to delay its new final rule on demurrage and detention billing requirements, said Rich Roche, who chairs the Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier Subcommittee of the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America.

The Federal Maritime Commission announced this week that it’s adding China-based Anji Shipping Co. to its Controlled Carrier List, a list of carriers subject to increased FMC regulations because they are directly or indirectly owned by foreign governments. The FMC said Anji will be subject to certain controlled carrier regulations, including rate review standards to ensure that it doesn't unfairly use its government-supported position against competitors.

The Federal Maritime Commission will prevent a new vessel-sharing agreement between major ocean carriers Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd from going into effect this week because it needs more information about the potential competitive impact of the arrangement, the agency announced July 12.

Houston's sea ports and airports are asking shippers that use the region to be patient as it recovers from Hurricane Beryl, according to a July 12 email sent by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America to its members.

The Federal Maritime Commission on July 1 added Hyundai Merchant Marine to its Controlled Carrier List, a list of carriers that are subject to increased FMC regulations because they are directly or indirectly owned by foreign governments. The FMC said Hyundai Merchant Marine, a container transportation company, is controlled by the South Korean government but will be exempt from certain controlled carrier regulations because of a treaty the U.S. and Korea signed in 1957.

The Federal Maritime Commission recently reminded carriers about the requirements they must meet to maintain their status before the commission as a vessel-operating common carrier (VOCC), warning they may face penalties if they fail to meet those requirements. The FMC said carriers publishing automated tariffs as VOCCs must “operate at least one vessel in common carriage in the foreign commerce of the United States to maintain their status.” Companies offering common carriage but that don’t operate at least one vessel are considered non-vessel-operating common carriers, the commission said, and must follow the licensing, registration and financial responsibility requirements for NVOCCs. “Operating as an NVOCC and failing to meet all relevant requirements may result in a civil monetary penalty.”

HMM Co. Ltd., formerly known as Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd., has charged unfair demurrage and detention fees for inland transportation since 2020, Samsung Electronics America (SEA) alleged in a complaint filed with the Federal Maritime Commission on May 30.

The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking public comments on a new vessel sharing agreement between major ocean carriers Maersk and Hapag Lloyd. The Gemini Cooperation Agreement would allow the carriers to “globally coordinate their vessel operations,” FMC said, including by sharing vessels on trade routes between the U.S., Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Public comments are due June 18. If the FMC takes no action, the agreement will take effect July 15.