The Pet Food Institute (PFI) thanks Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and Thune (R-SD) for the introduction of S. 3580 (Ocean Shipping Reform Act) and urges swift passage in the U.S. Senate. This legislation, the Senate companion to a similar bill in the House, will help address a global shipping crisis that is impacting America’s exporters. Foreign ocean carriers are currently enacting a range of anti-competitive practices such as charging exorbitant detention and demurrage fees, and declining booking requests to key markets around the world. This prevents America’s exporters from reaching international customers and impacts the country’s ability to remain viable in a global marketplace. This is also adding strain to an already disrupted supply chain.
The Senate bill complements legislation passed in the House of Representatives in 2021 with bipartisan support, which was first introduced by Representatives Garamendi (D-CA) and Johnson (R-SD).
PFI joins other partners in the agricultural community to urge the Senate to take action on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act and create policy solutions to the global shipping crisis.