Thompson Hine is pleased to have represented The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), the nation’s oldest trade association representing industrial freight transportation shippers, in connection with the passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (OSRA21) by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill received strong support from both sides of the aisle, passing the House on December 9 on a vote of 364-60.
OSRA 2021 would reform the Shipping Act of 1984 in light of ongoing challenges faced by U.S. importers and exporters involving vessel space accommodations and equipment, access to their cargo and increasing costs.
“The inability of U.S. companies to timely access marine containers and chassis and to secure sufficient vessel bookings to meet their business requirements has upended the ocean cargo shipping and delivery network. These unprecedented challenges exposed gaps in the law governing ocean carrier services that are addressed by OSRA21,” said NITL Ocean Transportation Committee Chair Lori Fellmer.
NITL Executive Director Nancy O’Liddy explained, “The overwhelming, bipartisan support shown for modernizing the Shipping Act of 1984 is an important step toward addressing systemic issues contributing to congestion at U.S. seaports and unprecedented disruption to the ocean shipping network. The ongoing ocean shipping turmoil has wreaked havoc on U.S. exporters and importers, costing them billions in higher shipping costs, demurrage and detention charges, and lost business.”
NITL was instrumental in the efforts leading up to the 1998 amendments to the Shipping Act and is pleased to be working with Congress, the Federal Maritime Commission and industry stakeholders to update this important federal law. The association has been working with members of the Senate on companion legislation and will now turn its focus to encouraging them to take similar action to bring relief to U.S. importers, exporters and – ultimately – consumers affected by these supply chain issues.
Thompson Hine Partner Karyn Booth has been serving as general counsel to NITL for many years. She said, “In passing OSRA 2021, the House of Representatives has taken action to increase federal oversight over unreasonable ocean shipping practices by global carriers. We are proud to work with the NITL and to play a role in advocating for solutions to the ongoing issues faced by the shipping community.”
Through more than 50 years of representing NITL, Thompson Hine’s lawyers have been at the center of virtually every major freight transportation issue and have deep experience encompassing the carriage of goods by rail, ocean, air and truck transportation. As NITL’s general counsel, Thompson Hine is uniquely situated to explain the changes to federal law included in the bill passed on December 9.
With any questions, please contact Thompson Hine Partner Karyn Booth, chair of the firm’s nationally recognized Transportation practice.