FMC Extends Container Freight Data Collection: Your Chance to Comment

You might care about this because the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is looking to continue collecting important data about shipping containers. This includes information on imports and exports. This data helps them understand the flow of goods into and out of the United States. They want to extend their current information collection for another period. This is all part of their duty under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, also known as OSRA 2022. The FMC has submitted this request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. They are inviting the public to share their thoughts and comments on this data collection process. This ensures transparency and allows interested parties to voice their opinions. The collected information will be used to create quarterly reports on total import and export tonnage, and on the number of loaded and empty shipping containers per vessel. This reporting helps fulfill a legal mandate to keep tabs on shipping activities. What makes this particular notice interesting is how the FMC balances the need for data with concerns from the shipping industry. The commission previously asked for comments and received one important submission from Gnosis Freight. This comment suggested gathering even more detailed information, such as specific bill of lading and container numbers. However, the FMC decided against this, viewing it as potentially too burdensome for ocean carriers. They also felt it might expose private operational data and go beyond what OSRA 2022 actually requires. This shows the careful line the FMC walks. They need enough data to create their mandated reports. At the same time, they want to avoid overwhelming businesses or forcing them to reveal sensitive information. This decision protects the privacy of shipping companies while still meeting the goals of shipping transparency. This legal document would be most interesting to a specific group of people. Ocean carriers, which are the large shipping companies, will find this directly relevant because they are the ones who must provide the data. Companies involved in international trade, such as exporters and importers, might also be interested. The data affects how transparent the shipping market is. Logistics providers and freight forwarders, who manage the movement of goods, should also pay attention. Government agencies that monitor trade and economic activity will use this data. Researchers and analysts who study global supply chains or maritime economics will also find the reports useful. Anyone concerned with the efficiency, costs, and transparency of international container shipping will find this information important. It impacts how goods move around the world.