FMC Launches Targeted Probe   

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission today issued a landmark notice opening a sweeping investigation into the chassis practices of every container line serving U.S. trades. The probe will examine whether carriers’ conduct is fair and reasonable, and if it violates the Shipping Act—specifically by unjustly or unreasonably restricting motor carriers and shippers from choosing their own chassis suppliers. Industry watchers expect the outcome could profoundly reshape how containers move through American ports.

FMC：

“The Commission seeks to determine whether ocean common carriers are using practices that directly or indirectly deprive truckers and shippers from negotiating and dealing with chassis providers.”

   Probe zeroes-in on “restrictive” practices   

The Commission says the inquiry will determine whether carriers—directly or indirectly—block truckers and shippers from negotiating or dealing with chassis suppliers. Internal liner-conference rules, service-contract clauses or any other mechanism that unjustly or unreasonably limits choice could breach § 41102(c) of the Shipping Act. FMC is now soliciting evidence from cargo owners, motor carriers, other service providers and the general public on any limits, tactics or strategies lines impose when carriers select or negotiate for chassis. The agency stresses that every form of restrictive conduct falls within the scope of this call for information.

   Anonymous tip-line opened alongside the probe   

Comments from the public must reach the FMC by 27 March 2026. Full filing instructions appear in the Federal Register notice “Investigation Into Ocean Common Carriers’ Practices and Restrictions on Chassis Usage”. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can e-mail the Commission’s Secretary, David Eng, directly at Secretary@fmc.gov. The probe will be led by the FMC’s Office of General Counsel.

   Investigation triggered because earlier ban was never fully lifted   

The sweeping inquiry stems from a previous Commission ruling. In February 2024 the FMC found that certain carriers’ “bundled” chassis rules in four key U.S. markets violated the Shipping Act and ordered them to cease immediately. Regulators have since continued to receive reports that some lines are still enforcing similar restrictions in disguise. The new investigation will test whether the earlier “cease-and-desist” order has actually been implemented or whether carriers are merely paying lip-service to it.

   Chassis disputes and steadily tighter oversight   

Discontent over chassis practices has simmered for years. Shippers and truckers complain that equipment-manager affiliates of the liner companies control chassis pools, limiting choice, pushing up prices and stifling competition. Industry sources say the lack of real alternatives not only raises drayage costs but also triggers a chain of negative effects on port turnaround times and driver operating expenses. The investigation is viewed as the latest example of the FMC’s increasingly muscular oversight. In early January 2026 the Commission slapped a container-shipping and logistics giant with a USD 22 million civil penalty—the largest ever for billing errors and inaccurate tariff publications. Late in 2025 it also collected about USD 1.35 million in fines from a carrier and an NVOCC for tariff-publication and service-rule violations and opened an inquiry into whether foreign-port policies (such as Spain’s restrictions on U.S.-flag vessels) impose “unfavourable conditions” on American commerce.

   Industry impact and what comes next   

Carriers under scrutiny agree that the Commission’s flurry of actions signals a tougher stance, with scrutiny now extending from basic freight rates to industry-competition structure and key supply-chain nodes. Critics argue that decades of consolidation have given large shipping lines outsized influence over equipment pools, service contracts and critical nodes, and the FMC is using regulatory tools to recreate a more open and level playing field. Whatever the outcome, liner companies and port operators will watch closely; if the agency finds that prohibited restrictions persist, further enforcement, hefty civil penalties or entirely new compliance requirements for carriers operating in the United States could follow.