The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) closed effective October 1, 2025, as part of the federal government shutdown. The FMC’s regulations, however, remain in force during the federal government shutdown. There is no impact on FMC filing for new and amended tariff rates and rules, VOCC Service Contracts (SCs), NVOCC Service Arrangements (NSAs), or Negotiated Rate Arrangements (NRAs). 

During the shutdown, the Commission will not accept new or amended NVOCC registrations, new or amended NVOCC licenses, and new or amended VOCC registrations. The FMC will also not accept new or updated VOCC and MTO agreements, formal or informal complaints, or any filings in proceedings pending before the Commission.

The Commission’s online databases:  SERVCON, the VOCC and NVOCC Tariff List, List of FMC Licensed and Bonded OTIs, and the Agreement Notices and Library will remain accessible. Commission staff will not update these databases during the federal government shutdown.

Upon reopening of the federal government, the public may contact the Office of the Secretary at (202) 523-5725 or Secretary@fmc.gov with any questions.

The Commission published a detailed shutdown plan, which may be viewed at www.fmc.gov.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) received two new formal complaints in September 2025 alleging violations of the U.S. Shipping Act and FMC regulations.

Unreasonable Shipment Handling Practices – FMC Docket No. 25-26:  Roger Waterloo dba EcoBamboo, an Oklahoma-based bamboo importer, filed a formal complaint against Ship4wd, Inc., an Israel-based FMC-registered NVOCC, alleging various violations of the U.S. Shipping Act.

Specifically, EcoBamboo engaged Ship4wd to assist with a bamboo shipment from Indonesia in March 2025. EcoBamboo delegated the fumigation and required import documentation to Ship4wd. According to EcoBamboo, upon arrival, U.S. Customs held the shipment for inspection and found the fumigation and documentation insufficient. As a result, U.S. Customs ordered the shipment to be re-exported. While Ship4wd’s subcontractor did pay for the re-export, EcoBamboo alleges it still suffered financial losses, including loss of cargo value, re-export costs, storage, demurrage, and other consequential damages. As a result of Ship4wd’s actions, EcoBamboo alleges that it suffered over $370,000 in damages.

EcoBamboo requests the Commission order Ship4wd to cease and desist from the Shipping Act violations and to implement lawful, reasonable, and transparent practices going forward; and to pay reparations for the unlawful conduct, together with interest, and any other amounts the Commission deems just and proper.

Unreasonable Unlawful D&D – FMC Docket No. 25-25:  Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBB) filed a formal complaint against CMA CGM S.A., alleging that CMA violated the U.S. Shipping Act by exploiting price inflation in container shipping during the COVID-19 pandemic and unjustly and unreasonably exploiting shippers.

Specifically, BBB alleges that between 2021 and 2022, CMA charged BBB excessive demurrage and detention charges. BBB claims it was unreasonable for CMA to charge detention and demurrage fees when BBB was unable to pick up or return containers due to circumstances outside of BBB’s control, such as congestion at ports and shortages of equipment.

As a result of CMA’s actions, BBB alleges that it paid at least $385,324.02 in unjust and unreasonable detention and demurrage charges.

BBB requests the Commission order CMA to pay BBB reparations, including interest, attorneys’ fees and costs, order CMA to cease and desist from the unlawful conduct, and provide any other further relief that the FMC deems appropriate.

OOCL, Yang Ming, MSC, Evergreen and BAL Container Line are facing similar complaints filed by BBB. BBB filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2023.

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.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) announced that it will only accept payments submitted through Pay.gov or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). In accordance with Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments to and From America’s Bank Account, the FMC discontinued acceptance of paper checks effective October 1, 2025. Any questions may be sent to OBFMMaritime@fmc.gov.

Carrier members of the Caribbean Shipowners Association (CSA), FMC Agreement No. 010979, recently announced a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) which will apply from October thru March. The CSA Carrier members cover the trade lanes between the United States and the Caribbean destinations located in the Leeward/Windward Islands (excluding Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, French/Dutch Saint Maarten), Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, Haiti, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, and Jamaica.

See table for the Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) that applies from October 5, 2025 through March 1, 2026.

NOTE 1:  Breakbulk (W/M) means per each 2000 lbs (W) or 40 cft (M).

NOTE 2:  Crowley will apply PSS to/from Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda in amounts of USD 250 per 20ft dry container, USD 300 per 20ft reefer container, USD 500 per 40ft per dry container, USD 600 per 40ft reefer container, USD 563 per 45ft container; USD 150 per vehicle; USD 500 breakbulk/NIT.

NOTE 3:  Tropical Shipping & Construction will apply USD 250 per vehicle not exceeding 700 cft; USD 12.50 per W/M for vehicle exceeding 700 cft; USD 12.50 per W/M for breakbulk; USD 0.31 per CFT; USD 0.62 per CWT; USD 4.69 per barrel; USD 25 per pallet.  For the Cayman Islands, Tropical will apply USD 125 per vehicle not exceeding 700 cft; USD 6.25/WM for vehicle exceeding 700 cft; USD 6.25 per W/M for breakbulk; USD 0.16 per CFT; USD 0.32 per CWT; USD 2.34 per barrel; USD 12.50 per pallet.

See table for the current Bunker charges.

NOTE 1:  Amounts differ for W/M and vehicle units.

NOTE 2:  King Ocean announced the Bunker Adjustments for the Eastern Caribbean including Suriname and Guyana, effective October 19, 2025. King Ocean also announced amounts USD 0.21 per M, USD 0.42 per W, USD 3.94 per D-Container, USD 1.08 per E-Container, USD .91 per EH-Container and Barrels, USD 1.66 per 36 Box.

NOTE 3:  Seaboard Marine has also published amounts for Bunker Charges for the Caribbean in the amount of USD 9.18 per W/M for less-than-container load and breakbulk, USD 78 for vehicle not exceeding 750 cft, USD 9.18 per W/M for vehicle exceeding 750 cft. The other amounts for the Cayman Islands are USD 6.15 per W/M for less-than-container load and breakbulk, USD 113 for vehicle not exceeding 750 cft, USD 6.15 per W/M for vehicle exceeding 750 cft.

NOTE 4:  Tropical Shipping & Construction will apply USD 175 per vehicle not exceeding 700 cft; USD 8.75 per W/M for vehicle exceeding 700 cft; USD 8.75 per W/M for breakbulk; USD 0.22 per CFT; USD 0.44 per CWT; USD 3.28 per barrel; USD 17.50 per pallet.  For the Cayman Islands, Tropical will apply USD 138 per vehicle not exceeding 700 cft; USD 6.90 per W/M for vehicle exceeding 700 cft; USD 6.90 per W/M for breakbulk; USD 0.17 per CFT; USD 0.34 per CWT; USD 2.59 per barrel; USD 13.80 per pallet.

CSA members are Seaboard Marine Ltd., Tropical Shipping & Construction Company Limited, LLC, King Ocean Services Limited, Inc., Crowley Caribbean Services LLC, and Hybur Ltd. For more information see individual carrier tariffs.

Several leading carriers serving the Transpacific container trades have recently updated their respective tariffs to include new General Rate Increases (GRIs) effective October 15, 2025, including CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, HMM Company Limited, Ocean Network Express (ONE), 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 October 15th GRIs will be the twentieth GRI of 2025 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 November 1, 2025, including CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, HMM Company Limited, Ocean Network Express (ONE), 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 November 1st GRIs will be the twenty-first GRI of 2025 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.