Federal Maritime Commission

The US Federal Maritime Commission plays a crucial role in the ocean freight shipping industry. Since their founding in 1961, shipping freight has forever been changed. In essence, the Federal Maritime Commission, also known as the FMC, oversees the transportation of international cargo to and from the United States. The organization monitors vessels and terminals by regulating the ocean freight carriers and freight forwarders. This regulation includes licensing logistics providers who deal with businesses everyday.
One responsibility of the Federal Maritime Commission is to view the documents for ocean freight shipping. This includes the bill of lading and documents used for filing for a tariff. It is imperative that the Federal Maritime Commission regulates carriers by making sure that the proper insurance is being used in case something bad happens while in transit. They also have the authority to watch over certain trade sanctions against foreign governments so that better trade standards are in place.
The Federal Maritime Commission protects shippers in the US by reviewing shipping complaints and solving financial shipping disputes with the carriers. To provide further protection, the Federal Maritime Commission will also make sure that containers are properly labeled when leaving or entering the US. Overall, their objective is to preserve integrity in transportation.
Shippers engaged in international freight shipping should be fully aware of the Federal Maritime Commission and their role in preserving the standards of trade that are practical, safer and make economic sense.