The US House of Representatives yesterday voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Maritime Shipping Reform Law, which has been abbreviated OSRA (Ocean Shipping Reform Act), Which will significantly strengthen the powers of the U.S. regulator – the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), As soon as President Joe Biden signs the law and it goes into effect.
Law OSRA It was created following an appeal by American exporters to local politicians so that they could intervene in the supply chain crisis experienced in the United States during the epidemic. The law will allowFMC Launch tests of the business practices of shipping companies and implement enforcement measures, oblige prominent shipping companies to report toFMC On the total amount of containers imported / exported in each calendar quarter, and will prohibit shipping companies from depriving American exporters of various transportation options.
President Biden commented on the law, saying that “this bill will promote cost reduction for families and ensure fair treatment of American businesses – including farmers and ranchers. I look forward to signing the law soon. ‘
Daniel Muffy, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, said: “The strong bipartisan support in Congress to act and address the many challenges faced by U.S. shippers – especially exporters – over the past two years is impressive.”
Muffy said that law OSRA Will provide toFMC Improved authority to ensure that players in the shipping industry have the right incentives and that all stakeholders in the maritime transport industry can make their voices heard.
At the same time, the entry into force of the law is not expected to revolutionize the field, certainly not in the coming year at least. The timelines outlined in the bill, as highlighted by Lars Jensen of the consulting firm Vespucci MaritimeShow that any real change will occur only next year.
Although worn OSRA The fine print has yet to be defined, and it may take six to 12 months, Jensen noted.
John Butler, President and CEO of the International Shipping Bureau WSC, Referring to the bill as early as last December and later: “The bill is a political statement of frustration in the face of supply chain challenges – frustrations that shipping companies share. The problem is that the bill is not meant to fix the congestion at the end of the supply chain that the world is experiencing, and it will not fix and can not fix that load. “