Shipping companies operating at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in Southern California are facing increased scrutiny as labor shortages and container imbalances create operational challenges. With empty containers in high demand in China, carriers are rushing to return them to Asia, potentially at the expense of their obligations to U.S. exporters.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has launched an investigation following reports that ocean carriers may be refusing to transport American export cargoes. In a recent letter to World Shipping Council President John Butler, the FMC expressed concern over these allegations and is now conducting a thorough review.
FMC Commissioner Carl Bentzel told Container News that the claims warrant serious attention. "There appears to be a pattern where carriers prioritize returning empty containers over servicing export customers," Bentzel noted, emphasizing the need to examine whether this practice violates shipping regulations.
The probe could extend beyond individual cases to assess whether carrier alliance agreements contain potentially unreasonable provisions. "We have the authority to impose substantial penalties on carriers found in violation of the U.S. Shipping Act," Bentzel added, signaling possible enforcement actions if violations are confirmed.
This investigation comes at a critical time for the U.S. shipping industry, as the Biden administration implements measures to reduce port congestion and emissions. While policies encouraging greater use of domestic waterways aim to alleviate these issues, failure by carriers to meet export service commitments could undermine these efforts.
The maritime sector now faces the challenge of balancing operational efficiency with customer service obligations. With the FMC's oversight likely to intensify, how shipping lines manage container availability and export cargo commitments will be crucial factors in maintaining healthy market operations.
