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Ocean Shipping Reform Act moves to full Senate

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act has passed out of the Commerce Committee and will soon head to the full Senate for consideration. 

The bipartisan legislation, intended to ease shipping backlogs and improve supply chain challenges, is supported by 27 U.S. Senators and more than 100 organizations including the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, as well as being endorsed by the American Association of Port Authorities.

The bill is co-led by Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar and South Dakota Republican John Thune and co-sponsored by Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin, Michigan Democrats Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, Kansas Republicans Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, Indiana Republican Todd Young, and Iowa Republican Joni Ernst.

Companion legislation already passed in the House with large bipartisan support.

The International Dairy Foods Association is calling for a quick passage of the bill, saying it puts discipline on ocean carriers’ ability to decline export cargo and strengthens the oversight authority of the Federal Maritime Commission.