Shipping regulators singing a new tune as the spotlight hits VSAs

Photo: © Richardmodhamma

There was a palpable shift in the mood music emanating from competition regulators’ offices as US shippers, in particular, were quick to call out anti-competitive behaviour by the shipping lines, and regulatory scrutiny duly followed.

US regulators concluded that the carriers and, to a lesser extent, terminals and rail companies were using detention and demurrage charges (D&D) to add to their already bulging coffers.

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) 2022 has increased the Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC) ability to regulate the ...