During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the significant financial burden that detention and demurrage fees impose on American shippers and consumers. Between 2020 and 2022, the largest carriers in U.S. liner trade charged approximately $8.9 billion in these fees, which are often levied in addition to shipping costs.

In response to these challenges, the commission has published a final rule aimed at reducing these fees and enhancing transparency in the shipping process. This new regulation is expected to provide clearer guidelines for evaluating claims related to detention and demurrage, which officials believe will empower businesses to contest unfair charges more effectively.

Key figures in the meeting emphasized the bipartisan nature of the legislative efforts, highlighting the collaboration between senators and representatives to push this initiative forward. The establishment of an audit process for ocean carriers was also noted as a critical step in assessing their billing practices and ensuring compliance with the new rules.

While the meeting underscored the importance of transparency in the ocean shipping industry, officials acknowledged that there is still room for improvement. The hope is that increased clarity will enable U.S. businesses to better identify and challenge unfair practices, ultimately leading to a more equitable shipping environment.