Steve Hughes, president and CEO of HCS International and chairman of the Auto Care Association’s International Trade Committee, recently testified in front of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in response to a petition filed in December 2016 by the Coalition for Fair Port Practices.
The coalition urged the FMC to ensure that practices for moving cargo through the nation’s ports are fair and responsible by developing a policy statement that clarifies unreasonable practices. The statement would need to include guidance on how cargo owners and transportation providers handle issues beyond their control.
Hughes testified that severe congestion at container terminals in U.S. ports and port operations incidents have affected the Auto Care Association’s membership.
“Our members have been assessed unfair detention and demurrage penalties due to port congestion, many times due to circumstances that are out of their control,” Bill Hanvey, Auto Care Association president and CEO, said. “We strongly support a policy statement that would ensure that our members are able to conduct business according to the FMC’s mission to foster a fair, efficient and reliable international ocean transportation system.”
The coalition is comprised of 26 organizations, including the Auto Care Association, that represent transportation intermediaries, manufacturers, importers, exporters, and other business groups.