To address disruption in the global energy flow resulting from the conflict with Iran, the White House is considering a temporary waiver of the Jones Act—the law requiring cargo moving between U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-built vehicles. If this waiver goes into effect, it will have important implications for ocean shipping stakeholders.
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Several major ocean carriers have recently announced new Energy Fuel Surcharges (EFS) in response to sharply rising bunker fuel costs resulting from the latest geopolitical disruption in the Middle East.
Despite the sudden nature of the announcements, these surcharges will still need to comply with tariff and publishing requirements established by the U.S. Federal Maritime
On July 23, 2025, the Coalition of Freight Coupler Producers (“Petitioners”), filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping duties on U.S. imports of Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof from the Czech Republic and the Republic of India and countervailing duties on the Republic of India.
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On June 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce published in the Federal Register a notice to modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to conform with General Terms of the United States of America-United Kingdom Economic Prosperity Deal (Executive Order 14309) with respect to automobiles, automobile parts, civil aircraft
On February 23, 2024, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a Final Rule intended to add clarity to invoicing requirements outlined in the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA 2022). In particular, the Final Rule provides minimum information for demurrage and detention (D&D) invoices and procedures for disputing charges. D&D invoices have created a host of issues for importers and shippers throughout the economy, especially as they relate to the lack of information provided on the invoices.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has granted special permission to ocean carriers to immediately increase the rates on containers that are being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa or are retaining feeder vessels for pickup of cargo at high-risk ports in the Red Sea due to increased hostilities. Since mid-November 2023, Houthi rebels based in Yemen have attacked Red Sea shipping bound for Israel or linked to Israeli ports. Reported security incidents have ranged from outright attacks, approaches, and business interruptions to mere sightings.
Force majeure contract provisions are potentially coming into play as Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and other ocean carriers divert ships around geopolitical trouble spots in the Red Sea.
On December 26, 2023, the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) announced that it will further extend 352 reinstated exclusions and 77 COVID-related exclusions to duties imposed on goods from China pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 until May 31, 2024. USTR imposed Section 301 duties in four tranches or “lists,” and
Some commercial truck traffic could be moving again at one border bridge as late this afternoon. On April 14, 2022, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced an agreement with Nuevo León Governor Samuel Alejandro García Sepúlveda for heightened inspections on Mexico’s side of the border at the Columbia bridge and the lifting of increased security measures