ISRI has announced support of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (S.3560), introduced by U.S. Senators John Thune R-S.D., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. ISRI submitted a letter of support for the bill. The association previously submitted a letter of support for the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (H.R. 4996), which was jointly introduced to the House by Representatives John Garamendi, D-Calif., and Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., Aug. 11 and passed Dec. 8 2021.
If passed, the bill would level the playing field for American exporters by making it more difficult for ocean carriers to unreasonably refuse goods ready for export. It also would give the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) general rulemaking authority to regulate carriers’ harmful practices “This bill is a great first step,” said Billy Johnson, ISRI chief lobbyist. “It will give the FMC some teeth and set up process for the agency to write updated rules and give shippers more confidence that they can get their products on the ships and to their customers in a timely way.”
ISRI’s letter describes how the recycling industry is vital to the manufacturing supply chain and sustainability, and notes how beneficial the bill would be for the industry. ISRI has long advocated for relief of port congestion, shipping, and container issues faced by the industry.