How to Avoid the Biggest Shipping Law Pitfalls: Today’s 17:00 Freight Pulse Update

Rapid regulatory shifts and climbing spot rates are squeezing margins across the Transpacific and domestic lanes. You need to identify legal landmines before they blow a hole in your bottom line.

Stop Paying Illegal Detention and Demurrage

The biggest ocean pitfall right now is improper Detention and Demurrage (D&D) billing. Under OSRA 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has stripped carriers of their ability to charge "junk fees" when equipment is unavailable. If your invoice lacks specific data elements or charges for a container you couldn't physically pick up, don't pay it: dispute it. Lanta Logistics ensures our clients have the audit trails necessary to challenge these predatory assessments.

The Broker Transparency Storm is Brewing

While the FMCSA’s broker transparency rule (NPRM) is still in the proposal stage, the market is already shifting. Carriers are demanding more visibility into line-haul margins, and regulators are watching. Avoid the pitfall of "blind" brokering by partnering with a 3PL Maryland provider that prioritizes open-book accountability. Clean contract language today prevents expensive litigation tomorrow.

Compliance as a Competitive Edge

Whether you are managing a food-grade warehouse or a Hazmat certified 3PL operation, documentation is your only defense. The FMC is cracking down on the unreasonable refusal of US exports. Ensure your warehouse partner in our Glen Burnie warehouse or Mid-Atlantic fulfillment centers maintains rigorous records of gate data and appointment logs. In 2026, data isn't just for efficiency: it’s for legal protection.

Eliminate inefficiencies and secure your supply chain with a partner that delivers reliable, structured, performance-driven logistics( contact Lanta Logistics today.)