Coalition Seeks Senate Action on Shipping Reforms

A coalition of agriculture groups is asking the Senate to consider shipping reforms. Specifically, the group hopes the Senate will consider the House-passed Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021, or similar legislation.

Senators Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, and John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, are drafting a bill to address unreasonable ocean carrier practices.

In a recent letter to lawmakers, the Agriculture Transportation Coalition said, “The transportation crisis for U.S. agriculture products has become increasingly dire, adding, “it is essential the Senate also pass legislation to allow US agriculture to remain viable in global markets.”

A survey recently conducted by the coalition found that, on average, 22% of U.S. agriculture foreign sales could not be completed due to ocean carrier practices, including exorbitant freight rates, declined booking requests, unreasonable freight and detention charges, and failure to communicate schedules in a timely manner.

The coalition letter added, "we are losing customers in foreign markets."

Click Here to read the entire letter submitted to the Senate.

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