IN THE LATEST iteration of Trump/Republican ideology impacting on the shipping world the Federal Maritime Commission has launched an investigation into whether US shipping is being “constrained” by global “choke points”.
“The Commission will investigate whether constraints in global maritime chokepoints have created unfavourable shipping conditions caused by the laws, regulations or practices of foreign governments or the practices of foreign-flag vessel owners or operators,” it announced earlier this week.
“The Commission “has extensive regulatory duties under the various acts it is charged with administering,” and conducting investigations is “essential to the proper exercise” of those duties.” In particular, the Commission is authorized to initiate investigations on its own motion “when in its discretion the Commission determines that information is required for the purpose of rulemaking or is necessary or helpful in the determination of its policies or the carrying out of its duties, including whether to institute formal proceedings directed toward determining whether any of the laws which the Commission administers have been violated.”
Recent events have indicated that transit constraints at several critical points in the global shipping supply chain have led to conditions that are appropriate for the Commission to investigate, it said. Such constraints have affected transits through the English Channel, the Malacca Strait, the Northern Sea Passage, the Singapore Strait, the Panama Canal, the Strait of Gibraltar, and the Suez Canal.
The FMC goes on to describe the problems it perceives in each area, as per this example given for the Singapore Strait:
“The narrow Singapore Strait presents significant challenges for maritime navigation, with limited passing opportunities that increase delays and the risk of accidents, particularly for large vessels that require precise navigation in congested areas. Shallow zones restrict the passage of deep-draft vessels, necessitating careful manoeuvring to avoid grounding.The Strait is also subject to unpredictable weather conditions, including heavy rains, storms, and strong currents, which can slow vessel movement and complicate navigation, especially for larger ships. Environmental risks such as oil spills, marine pollution, and stringent regulations further constrain passage and cause delays. Although piracy has decreased, the Strait still faces security threats, including hijackings and robberies in remote areas, along with potential disruptions due to regional political tensions.”
At the early stage of the investigation, the Commission will focus on providing a route for interested parties to provide information, perspectives, and proposed solutions. Discussion of remedial measures or any other actions, if needed, would occur later in the process, and would be accompanied by the opportunity for additional public comment, the FMC said.
Leave a Reply