The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) received one new formal complaint in June 2026 alleging violations of the U.S. Shipping Act and FMC regulations.

Unreasonable Demurrage and Detention Practices – FMC Docket No. 26-08:  Ealytex Global Inc., a New York-based importer, filed a formal complaint against COSCO Shipping Lines Co., Ltd. alleging various violations of the U.S. Shipping Act.

Specifically, Ealytex alleges that COSCO acted unreasonably in regard to detention and demurrage billing. This failure resulted in excessive demurrage, detention, per diem, and storage charges which COSCO billed to Ealytex even though COSCO was responsible for the majority of delays. Other delays were due to port congestion and shortages of equipment, which were outside Ealytex’s control. Ealytex further alleges that COSCO failed to provide adequate facilities to return empty containers and issued incomplete detention and demurrage invoices.

As a result of COSCO’s actions, Ealytex filed a Charge Complaint with the FMC in 2023 alleging they were forced to pay unlawful detention and demurrage charges totaling $360,310. COSCO agreed to resolve the complaint and waive, refund, or adjust the majority of the disputed charges. Ealytex alleges COSCO failed to refund charges in the amount of $91,545 in breach of the agreement. Additionally, Ealytex claims that COSCO repeatedly falsely claimed that the refunds were in process in an effort to impair Ealytex’s rights under the Shipping Act.

Ealytex requests the Commission to investigate COSCO’s conduct, to find COSCO in violation of the Shipping Act, to order COSCO to compensate Ealytex for the unlawful conduct and pay any other amounts the FMC deems appropriate, and to provide any other relief the Commission deems proper.

For more details visit the FMC’s online reading room. The FMC’s reading room provides access to FMC dockets, related documents, notices, and orders.

Several leading carriers serving the Transpacific container trades have recently updated their respective tariffs to include new General Rate Increases (GRIs) effective July 15, 2026, including CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, HMM Company Limited, Yang Ming, and ZIM. See table below for GRI amounts per 40ft container; GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. The July 15th GRIs will be the fourteenth GRI of 2026 for the East Asia/USA trade lane. 

NOTE 1:  COSCO GRIs apply on all cargo moving under service contracts only.   

NOTE 2:  Evergreen GRIs will be USD 3000 per 40ft container for dry cargo, and USD 3000 per reefer container. GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. 

Some carriers also updated their tariffs to include new General Rate Increases (GRIs) effective August 1, 2026, including CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, HMM Company Limited, Yang Ming, and ZIM. See table below for GRI amounts per 40ft container; GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. The August 1st GRIs will be the fifteenth GRI of 2026 for the East Asia/USA trade lane. 

NOTE 1:  COSCO GRIs apply on all cargo moving under service contracts only.   

NOTE 2:  Evergreen GRIs will be USD 3000 per 40ft container for dry cargo, and USD 3000 per reefer container. GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. 

Each carrier maintains its own tariffs and controls its own pricing.

The information contained herein is obtained from reliable sources. It is subject to change at any time, however, depending on changes in laws and regulations. While we continually attempt to monitor this information, we do not guarantee its accuracy and are not responsible for any damages suffered by any party in reliance on it.