Some of the largest and most powerful companies in the U.S. will now have a say in shaping transportation policy in a public forum at the Federal Maritime Commission.
NSAC was established as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY21 on Jan. 1. The function of the committee, according to the law, "is to advise the [FMC] on policies relating to the competitiveness, reliability, integrity, and fairness of the international ocean freight delivery system." FMC will have authority to consult NSAC "on significant agency actions relating to the committee's functions," the law states.
However, NSAC's duties are "solely advisory," according to the law, and the FMC is not obligated to act on its recommendations.
The goal of the FMC was to balance the membership of NSAC and "consider factors to include commodities shipped, ports used, geographic areas served, and origins of cargo, as well as other relevant factors."
The 12 importer members and their representatives:
The 12 exporter members and their representatives:
The advisory panel comes at a time of rising complaints at the FMC from shippers claiming carriers are inappropriately profiting off shippers by taking advantage of unprecedented demand for carriers' services. "We have many letters from shippers arguing this, and we always look into those complaints," Maffei told FreightWaves.
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