US Federal Maritime Commission to hold public hearing on shipping conditions in Red Sea

The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) will hold an informal public hearing to examine how conditions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions are impacting commercial shipping and global supply chains.

The hearing will allow stakeholders in the supply chain to communicate with the commission how operations have been disrupted by attacks on commercial shipping emanating from Yemen, steps taken in response to these events, and the resulting effects. In addition, the hearing will allow the commission to gather information and identify any new issues related to these disruptions subject to commission statutes, such as implementing contingency fees and surcharges.

Interested parties can request to be considered as a participant or share information and comments by a written submission to the Commission at [email protected] until January 31. Panels and participants will be announced at a later date and are intended to include representatives of vessel-operating common carriers and shippers.

The FMC advised that participants must present in person; there will be no virtual option for presenters.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2024, and will be held in the Surface Transportation Board Hearing Room located at 395 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20423.  It will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

Hearing logistics will be provided in a future announcement.