Nominee Announced for Federal Maritime Commission Vacancy

On June 3, the Trump Administration announced an intent to nominate Carl Bentzel to serve as commissioner on the Federal Maritime Commission for the remainder of a term expiring on June 30, and for an additional five-year term expiring on June 30, 2024.  Bentzel previously served as senior counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, as well as on the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.  Subsequent to his time on Capitol Hill, Bentzel worked as a consultant on energy and transportation policy and projects.

The Bentzel nomination comes after the Senate confirmed Louis Sola, and re-confirmed Daniel Maffei, to the FMC in November 2018.  Confirmation of Bentzel by the Senate would give FMC a full roster of five commissioners for the first time since April 2017.

The FMC is the independent federal agency responsible for regulating international ocean transportation, including licensing and regulation of ocean transportation intermediaries.  The Commission plays a key role in enforcing the Shipping Act and Ocean Shipping Reform Act, and regulating activities at U.S. ports.  The FMC has taken action and is investigating and promulgating recommendations related to detention and demurrage charges at U.S. ports, which is a major issue for many TIA members.

TIA closely follows the activity of the FMC.  For more information, or to get involved with the International Logistics Conference at TIA, please contact Will Sehestedt at [email protected] or (703)299-5713.