SFIA announced it supports Congress in its recent proposed legislation to ease U.S. companies’ challenges regarding shipping during the pandemic.
The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021, introduced by Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) earlier this month, would help ease the ongoing challenges that importers, exporters and others in the supply chain are facing.
The bill includes recommendations from the U.S. retail and transport industries that address service contracts, shipping exchange registry, prohibition on retaliation, public disclosure, additional common carrier requirements, increased penalties, and a modified complaint process.
“The disruption to shipping due to the global pandemic has put intense pressure on supply chains and led to a significant increase in shipping costs,” stated Tom Cove, President & CEO, SFIA. “We hope that Congressional legislation, combined with Administration policies, will expedite a return to normal and avoid a spike in costs of getting products to market.”
SFIA recently signed a letter sent to Congress in support of the Act to improve shipping and avoid similar problems in the future.
