News / FMC empowered to investigate international 'shipping chokepoints'

19/03/2025

Donald Trump appears to have ’weaponised’ the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) as part of US efforts to revitalise its shipping sector.

On Monday it was announced that the FMC would investigate seven “chokepoints” in liner shipping: the Northern Sea Passage; English Channel; Malacca Strait; Singapore Strait; Strait of Gibraltar; and the Panama and Suez canals.

“The FMC is gathering information about seven chokepoints to identify any regulations, policies, or practices that create unfavourable shipping conditions,” it said, adding that it was “specifically ...