FMC calls on MSC to justify congestion fee imposed on US firm

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) of the United States has asked the largest container line in the world MSC to justify a congestion fee of US$1,000 levied against SOFi Paper Products, a US paper products firm.

SOFi filed a complaint with the federal agency responsible for regulating the US international ocean transportation system and MSC must provide answers by the end of the month.

According to an FMC report, MSC did not justify to SOFi a US$1,000 congestion fee imposed on the US company in July 2022.

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) 2022, signed into law by the president of the United States, Joe Biden, in June, gives the commission greater power and authority over foreign-flagged shipping companies and as a result, the complaint cases from US shippers have significantly increased.