FMC Final Rule for Demurrage and Detention Billing Requirements, who gains and who loses from a new rule.
Regardless of a modification to the detention and demurrage Billing requirements on the intermodal equipment needed to move containers around the world, the fact remains that vessel owners will have a buffer in protecting their interests, due to uncontrollable world events. How far does the inflationary impact on shippers and exporters business and bottom line from rising freight rates, in changing the competitiveness of a nations Agri or consumer goods sectors?
No matter how much a Final Rule, such as that proposed by the FMC on the OCEMA (Ocean Equipment Management Association) for Demurrage and Detention Billing, will assist shippers from being exposed to unwarranted fees, the vessel owners will use and leverage their power to hold inadequate infrastructure as the justification for delays, and rate increases.
Who manages, owns, controls the logistics services, equipment, and containers themselves to assure they are positioned and do not fall short of demand and supply at remote and non-remote points near major waterways and ports? If the system is broken, who has the vested interest monetarily and politically to fix it when it serves to benefit those that control it and manage it versus those that depend on it such as the consumer?
This is the larger picture and question that needs to ask when major liner carriers are creating new vessel sharing agreements such as that of the Gemini Cooperation Agreement between Maersk and Hapag Lloyd.
