The stage is set in Washington DC for a bitter fight between global carriers and politicians.
A bipartisan pair of lawmakers, pressed by agricultural exporters, yesterday introduced the Ocean Shipping Reform Act into Congress, a bill which would put in place new minimum requirements for service contracts and give the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) greater powers.
Carriers have responded to this possible clampdown arguing it is unfair and risks making goods in the US more expensive.
American supply chains have been stretched like never before in peacetime this year, while carriers are on course to post record profits.
The control of shipping by a handful of ocean carriers has really eliminated competition
