News / US Congress passes first shipping reform law in two decades

US Congress yesterday passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act 2021 (OSRA), amid complaints from carriers that the bill had not been properly debated.

According to the Congress.Gov website, the bill “revises provisions related to ocean shipping policies and is designed to support the growth and development of US exports and promote reciprocal trade in the foreign commerce of the United States”.

Essentially, OSRA 2021 is meant to support exporters aggrieved that ocean carriers have not been transporting exports, instead returning empty containers ...