Today’s 11:00 AM Freight Pulse: New Shipping Law Changes Explained in Under 3 Minutes

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) isn't slowing down its enforcement of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA). Recent 2026 rulings and the $1.9 million penalty against major carriers prove one thing: the era of "gotcha" detention and demurrage (D&D) billing is officially over.

Who Gets the Bill?

The most significant shift is the "contracting party" rule. Under the current FMC framework, carriers and marine terminal operators can only invoice the person who actually contracted for the ocean transportation. This stops the predatory practice of billing drayage providers or truckers who never agreed to the charges. If your 3PL Maryland partner is being hit with surprise invoices, the law is now on your side to push back.

Standardized Transparency

Every invoice must now contain "minimum information" to be valid. This includes container numbers, bill of lading details, specific free time dates, and a clear explanation of how the math works. Despite a 2025 court challenge that tinkered with the definition of a "properly issued invoice," the transparency requirements remain mandatory. If the data is missing, the carrier faces the burden of proof in a dispute.

Timing is Everything

The clock is ticking for both sides. Carriers have strict deadlines to issue bills, and shippers have a guaranteed window to contest them. This structured timeline is designed to keep cargo moving, not to generate revenue through inefficiency. For brands using our Glen Burnie warehouse, this means more predictable Mid-Atlantic fulfillment costs and fewer administrative headaches.

Lanta Logistics helps you stay ahead of these regulatory shifts by ensuring every touchpoint in your supply chain is documented and optimized for compliance.

Eliminate billing surprises and scale your brand with a partner who understands the law: contact Lanta Logistics today.