FMC new regulations: about demurrage and container delay fee (D&D)
On February 23,2024, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) announced the final regulations for carriers and terminal operators to collect D&D, and will implement new rules to combat overcharging. Since then, the controversial D&D collection problem has ushered in a phased result.
During the epidemic, the congestion in American ports caused containers to be unable to be returned in time, which resulted in a large demurrage fee, which was generally collected by shipping companies.
In this regard, FMC said that D&D charges should only be applied to containers stranded at ports for extended periods of time. This charge helps the supply chain of cargo circulation, but cannot be used as an additional source of income for carriers and port operators. This means that this fee cannot be collected by shipping companies and port operators.
For D&D, the FMC has repeatedly voiced criticism of unreasonable charges for shipping and announced interim procedures to review, investigate and adjudicate alleged complaints in late 2022.
The FMC's "OSRA 2022" bill simplifies the procedure for disputes related to carrier and port terminal surcharges. Through the charging complaint procedure, consumers have the opportunity to file charges and demand a refund. If the shipping company does violate the charging standard, the FMC can take relevant measures to resolve the dispute, including refund or fine.
Regarding the new FMC regulations, John Butler, chairman of the World Shipping Council (WSC), an international organization representing the interests of carriers, said that he is digesting this final regulation and will discuss it with members, without any public statement for the time being.
FMC新规：关于滞期费和滞箱费(D&D)，打击滥收费！
2024年2月23日，美国联邦海事委员会(FMC)公布了针对承运人和码头运营商收取D&D的最终规定，将实施新规则，以打击滥收费行为。自此，备受争议的D&D收取问题，迎来了阶段性结果。
在疫情期间，美国港口拥堵导致集装箱没有办法及时提还柜，这就产生了一大笔滞期费用，这个费用一般是由船公司代为收取的。
对此，FMC则表示，D&D收费只应适用于在港口超期滞留的集装箱，这项收费有助于货物流通的供应链，但不能作为承运人和港口运营商额外的收入来源。意思就是说，这笔费用不能由船公司和港口运营商收取。
对于D&D，FMC多次表达了对海运不合理收费的批评，并于2022年底宣布了审查、调查和裁决指控投诉的临时程序。
FMC出台的《OSRA2022》法案，简化了与承运人和港口终端附加费有关的争议程序。通过收费投诉程序，使得消费者有机会通过该程序提出收费争议并要求退款。如果航运公司确实违反了收费标准，FMC可以采取相关措施来解决争议，这包括退款或是罚款。
对于FMC新规，代表承运人利益的国际组织世界航运理事会(WSC)主席John Butler表示，其正在消化这一最终规定，并将与成员进行讨论，暂时没有任何公开声明。
