Three policy statements issued today provide new guidance to shippers and others on bringing private party complaints at the Federal Maritime Commission, addressing barriers identified by the trade community as disincentives to filing actions at…

December 7, 2021   1pm-3pm (EST) On December 7, 2021, Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel will kick off the Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC) Maritime Data Infrastructure initiative. Earlier this month, FMC Chairman Daniel B. Maffei appointed Commissioner…

Commissioner Louis Sola was recognized by Seatrade Cruise magazine for his leadership in calling attention to COVID-19 related impacts to the cruise industry and identifying ways for this critical part of the hospitality and tourism…

The Federal Maritime Commission has voted to move forward with two demurrage-and-detention related initiatives proposed by Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye as part of Fact Finding 29. Unlike Commissioner Dye’s other Interim Recommendations, these initiatives required…

The Federal Maritime Commission seeks public comment on a proposed rule to amend its regulations governing non-performance by Passenger Vessel Operators (PVO/cruise lines) and establishing new requirements for when cruise passengers should be provided refunds…

Recommendations to address ongoing port and supply chain congestion, and proposed changes to agency regulations related to refunds for cancelled cruise ship voyages, were topics addressed during the open session of a Federal Maritime Commission…

INTERNATIONAL OCEAN SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE Earlier this year, I reviewed my calendar from last year and I stopped counting at over 75 virtual speeches. I didn’t try to count the hundreds of international importers, exporters,…

The Federal Maritime Commission has established a new audit program and dedicated audit team to assess carrier compliance with the Agency’s rule on detention and demurrage as well as to provide additional information beneficial to…

Good Afternoon, Buenas Tardes! Albert Shannon, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Port of Galveston Alan Robb, President, I-L-A Mayor – Craig Brown Business Impact Leaders  “J.P.” Bryan, Jr. Emerson Hankamer Philip Kuebler Gina M. Spagnola, President…

Commissioner Louis E. Sola recently held meetings in Tallahassee with Florida’s Governor and Attorney General to brief each on his Fact Finding 30 investigation of COVID-19 related impacts to the cruise industry and to respectively…