Senators Klobuchar and Thune Introduce OSRA21 in the Senate

Last Thursday, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD), both members of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA21) in the Senate.

The legislation would overhaul maritime shipping laws and require ocean carriers to certify that any detention and demurrage charges comply with federal regulations or face penalties imposed by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The legislation would also shift the burden of proof regarding the reasonableness of detention and demurrage charges from the invoiced party to the ocean carrier and prohibit carriers from unreasonably declining opportunities for U.S. exports as determined by the FMC.

In a statement promoting the legislation, Senator Klobuchar said OSRA21 would, “level the playing field by giving the FMC greater authority to regulate harmful practices by carriers and set rules on what fees carriers can reasonably charge shippers and transporters.”

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