House Committee Approves Ocean Shipping Bill
Legislation Strengthens Existing Provisions at the Federal Maritime Commission
Key Takeaways:
- The bill establishes a process that would pave the way for FMC investigations against shipping exchanges.
- Legislation aims to help protect American shippers and carriers from "unfair, anticompetitive practices."
- The Ocean Shipping Reform Act was signed by former President Joe Biden in 2022.
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WASHINGTON — Legislation that seeks to reinforce maritime import and export supply chains recently was approved by a committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Transportation and Infrastructure panel on Sept. 17 backed a bipartisan measure that builds on programs implemented in the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. Sponsored by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), a member of the transportation committee, the Reauthorization Act proposes to enhance operations at the maritime agency.
The bill awaits consideration in the chamber and a debate on the Senate side of the Capitol.
“The East Coast, West Coast, America’s heartland and everywhere in between rely on ocean shipping,” Johnson said. “Ocean shipping transports American products around the world and brings in foreign products that help fuel our economy.”
Ocean shipping impacts every American. My bill just passed to strengthen the Federal Maritime Commission, protecting our ports and supply chains while pushing back on China’s abuse of our shipping laws. — Rep. Dusty Johnson (@RepDustyJohnson)
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) led the bill’s approval.
“This legislation reauthorizes this important agency and will help protect American shippers and carriers from unfair, anticompetitive practices of other nations, such as China.”
China Comes Under Scrutiny
Specifically, the bill takes aim at certain It would establish a process that would pave the way for Federal Maritime Commission investigations against shipping exchanges, such as the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. It also would codify the definition of controlled carrier under the Shipping Act to encompass state-controlled operations in economies such as the People’s Republic of China. The measure also would aim to improve and facilitate policies that promote U.S. exports.
Additionally, the bill “expands FMC advisory committees, ensuring nongovernment stakeholders have the opportunity to provide their insight and expertise to the commission” and “reinforces the FMC’s independent nature by requiring a majority vote of the commission to disclose FMC investigation efforts to outside parties,” according to background information the bipartisan sponsors provided.
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(D-Calif.), a member of the transportation panel, is a co-sponsor.
“This bill builds on my Ocean Shipping Reform Act, authorizes robust funding through 2029, strengthens the commission’s independence and gives U.S. businesses a fairer playing field in the global marketplace.”
Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, and a co-sponsor, added, “Ensuring the strength, security and transparency of our maritime supply chain is not only an economic imperative but a critical national security priority. The Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025 equips the commission with the necessary tools and oversight to hold bad actors accountable and protect American shippers.”
Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), ranking member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, also is a co-sponsor.
Biden Signed Law in 2022
In 2022, former President Joe Biden signed the t, designed to boost the domestic shipping industry. The law sought to increase competition, promote U.S. exports and lower prices for shipping at a time when the influence of the ocean carrier market has been dramatically elevated by the advent of vessel alliances.
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