FMC to establish shipper advisory committee

Following criticism from shippers over perceived unfair carrier practices and high fees at logjammed ports in the US, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has voted to establish a National Shipper Advisory Committee, where importers and exporters will be able to provide advice to the agency.

The Commission will solicit applications from qualified candidates for appointment to the Committee, which will consist of 24 members, evenly divided between exporters and importers.

The new committee will “advise the FMC on policies relating to the competitiveness, reliability, integrity, and fairness of the international ocean freight delivery system.”