NRF Praises Senate Introduction of Ocean Shipping Reform Bill

The National Retail Federation hailed Thursday's introduction in the Senate of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act as a tool that would "modernize the international maritime transportation system." The 1984 Shipping Act "has remained untouched" for decades, "complicating supply chain disruption issues and adding to port congestion," said David French, NRF senior vice president-government relations. "Now more than ever, it is essential that we prioritize and invest in changes to support a modern-day transportation system." The bipartisan Senate bill, a companion version of legislation that cleared the House in December, was sponsored by Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., would hold ocean carriers accountable for unfair shipping practices. It would also require carriers to submit quarterly reports on total import and export tonnage per vessel and grant the Federal Maritime Commission new investigative and enforcement authorities to curb possible wrongdoing.