Johnson, Garamendi Urge FMC to Finalize OSRA Provisions

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and John Garamendi (D-CA) urged the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to finalize the rule on demurrage and detention billing requirements required in their Ocean Shipping Reform Act that became law in 2022.

“Without a final rule from the Commission, American shippers continue to be subjected to troubling billing practices,” the Congressmen wrote. “Again, we urge the Commission to finalize this critical rulemaking to increase transparency in billing terms, avoid illegally invoiced charges, and ensure timely resolution of any disputes.”

In January 2023, Johnson and Garamendi sent a letter to the FMC supporting this proposed rule. After a year without the rule being finalized, Johnson and Garamendi sent another letter today. View the 2024 letter here.

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act was signed into law on June 16, 2022 and provides authority to the FMC to investigate ocean carriers’ business practices and apply enforcement measures as appropriate following the unreasonable refusal of American exports throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.