What Federal Maritime Commission does

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is the independent U.S. federal agency, established in 1961, responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system under the Shipping Act of 1984 and the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022. It enforces competition and disclosure rules across vessel-operating common carriers (VOCCs), ocean transportation intermediaries (NVOCCs and ocean freight forwarders), marine terminal operators, and passenger vessel operators, and it adjudicates cruise passenger and shipper complaints. The agency does not sell commercial products or services; its outputs are regulatory. Stakeholders interact with the FMC through statutory filings, licensing, complaints, and rulemaking proceedings.

The agency's technology footprint is composed of government-operated digital platforms: the SERVCON portal for ocean service contract filings, the public Agreement Library database of VOCC and MTO agreements, the OTI Registry of licensed intermediaries, the Electronic Reading Room for agency decisions and orders, ACE data sharing with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and internal FOIA and OSRA implementation tracking systems. Section 508 accessibility compliance is maintained across these systems. Public communications are digital-first via fmc.gov, press releases, commissioner engagement events, and fact-finding investigations (e.g., Fact Findings 28 on demurrage and detention, 29 on port congestion, 30 on the cruise industry's COVID-19 impact).

The FMC is funded through congressional appropriations rather than revenue from regulated parties. The House reauthorized the agency through 2029 in December 2025 with an annual budget increased from $49.2 million to $57 million, although FY2027 budget discussions cite a flat $40 million level. Minor ancillary receipts come from filing fees and collected civil penalties, including a $1.9 million penalty from a shipping line in May 2026. Governance rests with a five-member Commission appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate; Chairman Laura DiBella and most recent commissioner Robert J. Harvey (sworn in June 1, 2026) lead the current panel.

Name

Federal Maritime Commission

Legal name

Federal Maritime Commission

Website

https://fmc.gov

Company type

Public

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Federal Maritime Commission is the independent U.S. federal agency that regulates the international ocean transportation system, enforcing the Shipping Act and Ocean Shipping Reform Act across ocean carriers, intermediaries, terminal operators, and cruise lines serving U.S. exporters, importers, and passengers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Regulatory Services

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation Regulators (Aviation, Maritime, Rail, Road) (BPAIAOAL)

Keywords

• Ocean transportation regulation
• Maritime regulatory oversight
• Shipping act enforcement
• Ocean carrier licensing
• Maritime trade compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is the independent U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system. It enforces the Shipping Act of 1984 and the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, licenses Ocean Transportation Intermediaries (OTIs), reviews service contracts and tariffs, monitors carrier practices (including demurrage and detention charges), conducts fact-finding investigations, and resolves disputes involving ocean carriers, marine terminal operators, and shippers.

Product overview

The Federal Maritime Commission is an independent U.S. federal agency that regulates the international ocean transportation system. Rather than offering commercial products, the agency provides regulatory databases and filing systems including the Agreement Library (public database of shipping agreements between carriers and terminal operators), SERVCON (electronic service contract filing system), the OTI Registry (licensed ocean transportation intermediaries), and Fact Finding Investigation processes for industry oversight. The agency enforces the Shipping Act of 1984 and Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, monitors carrier rates and practices, and handles complaints related to demurrage, detention, and other shipping charges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Agreement Library
• SERVCON (Service Contract System) Electronic filing and management system for ocean service contracts between vessel-operating common carriers and shippers, used for regulatory compliance under the Shipping Act.
• Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) Registry Public registry listing all licensed ocean freight forwarders and non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) authorized to operate in U.S. trade, including non-compliant NVOCC and controlled carrier lists.
• Fact Finding Investigations Formal Commission investigations into industry issues and emerging trends, with public participation, including Fact Finding 28 on demurrage and detention charges, Fact Finding 29 on port congestion, and Fact Finding 30 on COVID-19 cruise impact.

Quantifiable outcome

• U.S.-China port fee dispute cost to container shipping industry: $3.2 billion
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• U.S. Customs and Border ProtectioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2024FMC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection share ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) data to improve trade enforcement and regulatory oversight. This interagency collaboration enhances the agencies' ability to monitor cargo flows and enforce trade regulations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): DOT agency regulating commercial motor vehicles, motor carriers, and drivers. Peer mode-specific federal transportation regulator with analogous licensing, compliance monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): DOT agency regulating civil aviation safety, air traffic control, and airline economic activities. Peer mode-specific federal transportation regulator with broader regulatory scope and substantially larger resources.
• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): DOT agency regulating U.S. rail safety and economic competition. Peer mode-specific federal transportation regulator with comparable rulemaking, oversight, and investigation functions.
• Surface Transportation Board: Independent U.S. federal economic regulator of U.S. rail and pipeline transportation. Structurally and functionally analogous to the FMC as another independent federal transportation regulator, with similar commissioner-based governance and statutory authority over carrier agreements and rates.
• U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD): DOT agency dealing with U.S. maritime policy, ports, sealift readiness, and Jones Act enforcement. Closely aligned maritime federal entity with overlapping jurisdiction on shipping policy and U.S.-flag vessel matters.

Others

• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB): U.S. independent federal agency investigating transportation accidents across all modes. Peer in the independent federal transportation agency model, sharing governance structure and Congressional accountability.
• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG): DHS agency responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship, including vessel inspection and port facility security. Adjacent federal agency with overlapping maritime jurisdiction and complementary enforcement authorities.

Broad incumbents

• International Maritime Organization (IMO): UN specialized agency for maritime safety, security, and environmental performance. Global maritime regulator with broader international standard-setting role; the FMC operates within IMO frameworks and represents the U.S. in this ecosystem.

Regional players

• European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA): EU agency providing technical and scientific assistance to the European Commission on maritime safety, security, and pollution prevention. Peer maritime regulator operating in a different geographic jurisdiction with comparable monitoring and advisory functions.
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA): Australian federal agency responsible for maritime safety, navigation, and environmental protection. Peer maritime regulator in a different geography with comparable vessel registration, oversight, and enforcement functions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fmc_gov
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwKTAlGGHIA0xcN3bDt_Uqg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/federal-maritime-commission
• Facebookfacebook.com/federal-maritime-commission-137741912914291

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Federal Maritime Commission