News

Expert says shipping law would efficiently transform ocean transportation

A logistics expert says the Ocean Shipping Reform Act will expedite and promote growth of US ag exports.

The legislation was signed into law in June and Executive Director with the Specialty Soya Grains Alliance Eric Wenberg says it makes the ocean transportation system competitive, efficient and economical. “Some of the fixes will come into place about the limits about the detention and demurrage – the high fees that can be charged if sailings change and companies that face for the storage of goods.”   

He tells Brownfield the law will help lower costs for shipping ag products and reduce backlogs at seaports. “Congress also acted to increase the budget of the Federal Maritime Commission so that these five commissioners have access the tools they need to be discussing with ocean carriers what they need to do to help the United States and its policies be represented in their shipping.”  

OSRA requires the FMC to investigate complaints about detention and demurrage charges, determine if they are reasonable and order refunds.  It also prohibits common ocean carriers and other entities from unreasonably refusing cargo space when available.