Biography
Commissioner Carl Bentzel was nominated by President Trump on June 12, 2019, to a term expiring on June 30, 2024. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on November 21, 2019, and he was sworn into office on December 9, 2019.
Prior to his appointment at the Federal Maritime Commission, Commissioner Bentzel created and established a consulting services company where he represented clients on regulatory and legislative issues within the areas of transportation, energy and other areas of federal regulatory oversight. From 2004-2014, Commissioner Bentzel served as Vice President and head of the federal advocacy division of a full-scale public relations firm, the DCI Group.
Prior to working in the private sector, Mr. Bentzel served the public sector for ten years as a Senate professional committee staffer including, most recently, as Senior Democratic Counsel of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation. He moved to his role in the Senate after spending four years on the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries where he served as Counsel for Maritime Policy.
Commissioner Bentzel’s primary areas of responsibility on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation were issues on maritime transportation; rail, surface and pipeline transportation; energy transportation and hazardous materials; and homeland security in these areas. While working in the Senate, Commissioner Bentzel served as one of the principals in crafting the Maritime Security Act of 1996, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998, and in 2002, after the attacks on 9/11, the requirements mandated for maritime security through the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. He also dealt with matters impacting economic regulation of rail and surface industries before the Surface Transportation Board, and a variety of energy related regulatory issues.
For his efforts in developing and negotiating passage of Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, Commissioner Bentzel was awarded the Coast Guard’s Medal for Meritorious Public Service and the Maritime Security Council’s Man of the Year award. Mr. Bentzel is also the author of the chapter on Port Security within McGraw-Hill’s Handbook on Homeland Security.
Commissioner Bentzel earned his Bachelor of Arts from St. Lawrence University, his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama, and his Master of Laws from the Admiralty Law Institute, Tulane University.
Recent News
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Statement of Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel and Max M. Vekich on the Gemini Cooperation Agreement
The Gemini Cooperation Agreement went into effect on September 9, 2024, by operation of law. The Gemini Agreement is a vessel sharing agreement between two of the largest ocean carriers, Maersk and Hapag Lloyd. During…
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Statement of Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel on the The Refusal to Deal Final Rule
The Federal Maritime Commission’s final rule concerning “Definition of Unreasonable Refusal to Deal or Negotiate with Respect to Vessel Space Accommodations” is an important step in providing clarity and a brighter line on common carriage…
Categories: Carl W. Bentzel
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Statement of Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel on the Northwest Seaport Alliance Peak Planning Session participation and Expeditors Keynote speech
Last month, I participated in two important events in the Pacific Northwest, one hosted by the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) and the other by Expeditors. I am grateful to the Northwest Seaport Alliance for inviting…
Categories: Carl W. Bentzel
Upcoming Commissioner Appearances
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Commissioner Bentzel Speaking at NCBFAA Conference
September 23, 2024 | Washington, DC Commissioner Carl Bentzel will address attendees of the National Custom Brokers and Forwarders Association of America’s (NCBFAA) annual NCBFAA Government Affairs Conference. The event is open to members and…
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Commissioner Bentzel Speaking at VMA 24
October 9, 2024 | Norfolk, VA Commissioner Carl Bentzel will address attendees of the Virginia Maritime Association’s VMA 24 International Trade Symposium during an after Fireside Chat. The full agenda of VMA 24 and information…
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Commissioner Bentzel Speaking at Houston International Maritime Conference
Houston, Texas | November 7, 2024 Commissioner Carl Bentzel will participate in a Waterside Chat as part of the Houston International Maritime Conference 2024 program. Schedule and registration information are available on the event website.
Past Commissioner Appearances
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Commissioner Bentzel Speaking at Expeditors’ Global Logistics Conference
May 15, 2024 | Bellevue, WA Commissioner Carl Bentzel will provide the keynote address at the Global Logistics Conference 2024 hosted by Expeditors where he will speak on the topic of Maritime Infrastructure.