Shipping, Ports, and the Federal Maritime Commission

06/11/2021

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John Frittelli | Congressional Research Service

Since summer 2020, U.S. overseas containerized trade has risen to record levels as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led households to spend less on services such as vacation trips and restaurant meals and more on imported goods. The demand surge has resulted in transport delays, higher freight rates, and increased tension between shippers and ocean carriers over ancillary fees and the availability of containers. These controversies have drawn attention to the role of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC),a federal agency with jurisdiction over ports and ocean shipping.

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