Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

What is the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)?

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is an independent U.S. agency responsible for regulating foreign and inter-coastal ocean commerce shipping via U.S. ports. The FMC regulates both VOCCs (Vessel Operating Common Carriers) and NVOCCs (Non-vessel Operating Common Carriers).

The purpose of the FMC is to maintain fair competition in ocean transportation for the sake of the shipping public; for example, Flexport uses NRAs to remain FMC-compliant.

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