The American Trucking Associations’ Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference (IMCC) announced on February 6 that it had secured a significant first victory over ocean carriers after a Federal Maritime Commission administrative court judge ruled that the obligation for carriers to provide certain providers of intermodal Using chassis for the transport of containers violates the law Shipping Act.
“This victory has been a long time coming,” said IMCC Executive Director Jonathan Eisen. “The decision is the first step in ending the practice of foreign shipping companies forcing American drivers and auto transport companies to use certain equipment providers to transport goods – which will help reduce supply chain delays and costs for transport companies and consumers to lower. ”
IMCC filed its complaint against the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association, Consolidated Chassis Management and the world’s largest shipping lines with the FMC in 2020, alleging, among other things, that they denied motor carriers the ability to choose their provider when leasing this staple equipment by Freight companies imposed unjust and unreasonable prices.
“The practices of shipping companies forbidding auto transporters to use their carrier of choice when paying for the chassis has taken US auto transporters hostage and forced them to subsidize shipping companies,” Eisen said. “We are pleased that the judge agreed and we look forward to permanently ending these unreasonable and unjust practices.”
