
Washington 鈥 Today, the 黑料不打烊鈥 Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference secured a significant initial win over ocean carriers as a Federal Maritime Commission administrative law judge ruled that requiring motor carriers to use specific intermodal chassis providers to move containers violates the Shipping Act.
鈥淭his victory has been a longtime coming,鈥 said IMCC Executive Director Jonathan Eisen. 鈥淭he decision is the first step in putting a stop to the practice of foreign-owned shipping lines forcing American drivers and motor carriers to use specific equipment providers to move goods 鈥 which will help reduce supply chain delays and cut costs for carriers and consumers.鈥
IMCC filed its complaint against the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association, Consolidated Chassis Management, and the world鈥檚 largest ocean carriers with the FMC in 2020, alleging, among other things, that they have denied motor carriers the ability to choose their provider when leasing this essential equipment, heaping unjust and unreasonable prices upon trucking companies.
鈥淭he ocean carrier鈥檚 practices of prohibiting motor carriers from using the provider of their choice when they are paying for the chassis has held US motor carriers hostage and forced them to subsidize the shipping lines,鈥 Eisen said. 鈥淲e are pleased the judge agreed and we look forward to ending these unreasonable and unjust practices permanently.鈥
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