Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-1836
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]
Introduced: 2023-03-28 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Asia
China
Competition and antitrust
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Federal Maritime Commission
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Marine and inland water transportation
Navigation, waterways, harbors

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-28
text: 

Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023

 
This bill addresses the influence of the Chinese government on the U.S. shipping industry. 
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits port authorities from using LOGINK or any similar Chinese state-affiliated transportation logistics public information platform.
 
The bill also enhances the Federal Maritime Commission's authority to address market manipulation, including by designating a private vessel based in a nonmarket economy or otherwise anticompetitive country as a controlled carrier. (The commission regulates controlled carriers to ensure that they charge fair market rates for shipping cargo.)
 
Under the bill, the commission must accept and investigate complaints about potentially unlawful actions by shipping exchanges. (A shipping exchange is a data platform that enables businesses shipping goods to connect with carriers to transport those goods.) 
 
The bill also requires the commission to establish a data standard to help facilitate the voluntary sharing of supply chain data among carriers, port authorities, and other shipping industry stakeholders. This standard must allow users to exchange data (using standardized terms and methods) in real time consistent with industry practices. The commission must also establish standards for price indexes published by shipping exchanges.
 
 The bill also establishes a committee with members representing marine terminal operators and port authorities to advise the commission on competitiveness, reliability, and efficiency in the international ocean freight delivery system.

action_date: 2023-09-26
text: 

Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023

 
This bill expands the Federal Maritime Commission's authority to regulate technology and anticompetitive practices within the international ocean transportation system. 
 
First, the bill expands the definition of 
controlled carrier 
(a category of carriers that are subject to additional regulatory oversight) to include carriers legally or financially related to a corporation based in a nonmarket economy country.
 
Additionally, the bill requires the commission to accept and investigate complaints concerning alleged anticompetitive practices by registered shipping exchanges. (A shipping exchange is a data platform that enables businesses shipping goods to connect with carriers to transport those goods.) 
Further, the bill requires the commission to establish a data standard to facilitate the voluntary sharing of supply chain data among U.S. shipping industry stakeholders. This standard must allow users to exchange data (using standardized terms and methods of measurement) in real time. The bill allows the Department of Transportation to require port authorities to adopt the standard to receive certain grants. 
 
The commission must also establish standards for price indexes for containerized ocean freight that are published by shipping exchanges.
 
The bill also prohibits a recipient of certain federal grants from using China's logistics platform (LOGINK) or transportation logistics software controlled by a foreign adversary.
 
Finally, the bill establishes a National Port Advisory Committee and a National Ocean Carrier Advisory Committee. The committees, together with the existing National Shipper Advisory Committee, are charged with advising the commission on policies relating to the competitiveness, reliability, and efficiency in the international ocean freight delivery system.

action_date: 2024-03-21
text: 

Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023

This bill expands the Federal Maritime Commission's authority to regulate technology and anticompetitive practices within the international ocean transportation system.

First, the bill expands the definition of 
controlled carrier 
(a category of carriers that are subject to additional regulatory oversight) to include carriers legally or financially related to a corporation based in a nonmarket economy country.

Additionally, the bill requires the commission to accept and investigate complaints concerning alleged anticompetitive practices by registered shipping exchanges. (A shipping exchange is a data platform that enables businesses shipping goods to connect with carriers to transport those goods.)

Further, the bill requires the commission to establish a data standard to facilitate the voluntary sharing of supply chain data among U.S. shipping industry stakeholders. This standard must allow users to exchange data (using standardized terms and methods of measurement) in real time. The bill allows the Department of Transportation to require port authorities to adopt the standard to receive certain grants. 

The commission must also establish standards for price indexes for containerized ocean freight that are published by shipping exchanges.

The bill also prohibits a recipient of certain federal grants from using China's logistics platform (LOGINK) or transportation logistics software controlled by a foreign adversary.

Finally, the bill establishes a National Port Advisory Committee and a National Ocean Carrier Advisory Committee. The committees, together with the existing National Shipper Advisory Committee, are charged with advising the commission on policies relating to the competitiveness, reliability, and efficiency in the international ocean freight delivery system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-03-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2024-03-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-03-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 - 24 (Roll no. 98). (text: 3/19/2024 CR H1213-1215)
action_date: 2024-03-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 - 24 (Roll no. 98). (text: 3/19/2024 CR H1213-1215)
action_date: 2024-03-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1321-1322)
action_date: 2024-03-19
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2024-03-19
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1836.
action_date: 2024-03-19
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1213-1216)
action_date: 2024-03-19
text: Mr. Johnson (SD) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2023-09-26
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 177.
action_date: 2023-09-26
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 118-218.
action_date: 2023-09-26
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 118-218.
action_date: 2023-05-23
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 58 - 1.
action_date: 2023-05-23
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2023-05-23
text: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Discharged
action_date: 2023-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2023-03-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2023-03-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-03-28
text: Introduced in House