Ports

FMC Removes Statute of Limitations on Carrier Charge Complaints

The Federal Maritime Commission has eliminated the three-year statute of limitations on charge complaints filed against ocean carriers for fees assessed on or after June 16, 2022, significantly expanding the window for shippers to challenge detention and demurrage charges. The regulatory shift removes a critical deadline that had loomed over shippers seeking to file claims before expiration. Industry sources note the change could benefit smaller operators who faced time pressure to lodge complaints over pandemic-era detention practices. The FMC simultaneously broadened access to complaint procedures, allowing challenges to proceed through both small claims and formal channels. Carriers now face potential liability claims extending years beyond the traditional three-year timeframe.