FMC Launches Investigation of Hazardous Cargo Exports

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) launched an investigation into vessel-operating common carriers’ handling of hazardous cargo exports. The FMC is examining VOCCs’ practices to determine if they may be unlawfully discriminating against United States exporters of hazardous goods, including radioactive cargo.

The Commission will seek information and data regarding VOCCs’ acceptance of hazardous cargo, including radioactive cargo, from NVOCCs. Additionally, the Commission will review whether VOCCs have any exclusive agreements for packing, shipping, and preparation of hazardous cargo. The FMC will examine these practices and agreements for compliance with the U.S. Shipping Act’s prohibitions against unjust and unreasonable practices, unreasonable refusal to deal, and unreasonable refusal of vessel space.

The Commission is seeking information initially from the following eleven VOCCs:

1.  MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.;
2. Maersk A/S;
3. CMA CGM S.A.;
4. COSCO Shipping Lines Co., Ltd.;
5. Hapag-Lloyd AG;
6. Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd.;
7. Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan), Ltd.;
8. HMM Co. Ltd.;
9. Zim Integrated Shipping Services, Ltd.;
10. Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation; and
11. Wan Hai Lines, Ltd.

FMC Receives One New Formal Complaint

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) received one new formal complaint in April 2026 alleging violations of the U.S. Shipping Act and FMC regulations.

Unreasonable Shipment Handling Practices – FMC Docket No. 26-05:  Worldlog, LLC dba WCM Worldwide, a Wyoming-based NVOCC, filed a formal complaint against United Cargo Management, Inc., a California-based NVOCC. WCM alleges that United Cargo Management violated the U.S. Shipping Act by failing to establish and observe just and reasonable practices. Additionally, WCM alleges that United Cargo Management failed to comply with FMC regulations governing the conduct and activities of licensed OTIs by withholding information, failing to provide copies of all invoices and breakdowns of charges, and providing false information.

Specifically, according to the Complaint, WCM and United Cargo Management entered into a profit-sharing agreement as NVOCCs in 2008. WCM claims that starting in 2024 United Cargo Management failed to pay WCM the agreed-to profit-sharing amounts and expenses owed. This caused payment delays impacting the cargo release. Thereafter, WCM and United Cargo Management agreed to amicably end the profit-sharing agreement. WCM claims, however, that United Cargo Management reneged on the separation agreement and filed suit in federal court. According to WCM, United Cargo Management then began to harass WCM’s customers through double billing and cargo holds. WCM further alleges that United Cargo Management accessed WCM’s confidential Service Contracts and used the information to book cargo and then negotiate favorable rates to divert customers and cargo away from WCM.

As a result of United Cargo Management’s actions, WCM alleges that it suffered reputational harm and lost profits. WCM also claims that United Cargo Management wrongly billed WCM’s customers a total of $690,132.85 for shipments that WCM handled.

WCM requests the Commission order United Cargo Management to pay WCM reparations, including interest, attorneys’ fees and costs, order United Cargo Management to cease and desist from the unlawful conduct including holding of cargo, and provide any other further relief that the FMC deems appropriate. Additionally, WCM requests the FMC to order United Cargo Management to show cause why their FMC license should not be revoked.

For more details visit the FMC’s online reading room. The FMC’s reading room provides access to FMC dockets, related documents, notices, and orders.

Transpacific Eastbound Carriers File GRIs Effective May 15, 2026, and June 1, 2026

Several leading carriers serving the Transpacific container trades have recently updated their respective tariffs to include new General Rate Increases (GRIs) effective May 15, 2026, including CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, HMM Company Limited, Yang Ming, and ZIM. See table below for GRI amounts per 40ft container; GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. The May 15th GRIs will be the tenth GRI of 2026 for the East Asia/USA trade lane. 

TRANSPACIFIC EASTBOUND (Asia to USA)
GENERAL RATE INCREASE (GRI) Effective May 15, 2026
Carrier	in USD, per 40ft ctr
CMA CGM	2000
COSCO (note 1)	3000
Evergreen (note 2)	3000
Hapag Lloyd	3000
HMM	3000
Yang Ming	2000
ZIM	2000

NOTE 1:  COSCO GRIs apply on all cargo moving under service contracts only.   

NOTE 2:  Evergreen GRIs will be USD 3000 per 40ft container for dry cargo, and USD 3000 per reefer container. GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. 

Some carriers also updated their tariffs to include new General Rate Increases (GRIs) effective June 1, 2026, including CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, HMM Company Limited, Yang Ming, and ZIM. See table below for GRI amounts per 40ft container; GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. The June 1st GRIs will be the eleventh GRI of 2026 for the East Asia/USA trade lane. 

TRANSPACIFIC EASTBOUND (Asia to USA)
GENERAL RATE INCREASE (GRI) Effective June 1, 2026
Carrier	in USD, per 40ft ctr
CMA CGM	2000
COSCO (note 1)	3000
Evergreen (note 2)	3000
Hapag Lloyd	3000
HMM	3000
Yang Ming	2000
Zim	2000

NOTE 1:  COSCO GRIs apply on all cargo moving under service contracts only.   

NOTE 2:  Evergreen GRIs will be USD 3000 per 40ft container for dry cargo, and USD 3000 per reefer container. GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. 

Each carrier maintains its own tariffs and controls its own pricing.