---
title: "Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)"
description: "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. It regulates both VOCCs and NVOCCs."
language: en
canonical: https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/federal-maritime-commission/
lifecycle: live
dateModified: 2026-08-20T06:44:09Z
topics:
  - "Customs & Compliance"
  - "North America"
  - "Ocean Freight"
---

# 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. It regulates both VOCCs and NVOCCs.

## 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)](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/non-vessel-operating-common-carrier/).

The purpose of the FMC is to maintain fair competition in ocean transportation for the sake of the shipping public; for example, Flexport uses [NRA](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/negotiated-rate-arrangement/)s to remain FMC-compliant.

Back to the [full glossary](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/).

---

*This is a markdown version of [https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/federal-maritime-commission/](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/federal-maritime-commission/) for AI/LLM consumption.*