FMC calls public hearing on Red Sea shipping conditions

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has scheduled an informal public hearing to investigate how circumstances in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions affect commercial shipping and global supply networks.

According to FMC, the public hearing will be held on 7 February 2024, to allow supply chain stakeholders to communicate with the Commission about how attacks on commercial shipping from Yemen have disrupted operations, the steps taken in response to these events, and the resulting effects.

FMC also noted that the hearing will allow the Commission to gather information and identify any new issues related to these disruptions subject to Commission statutes, such as implementing contingency fees and surcharges.

READ: Shipping carriers adjust routes amid Red Sea crisis

The US government agency said that panels and participants would be announced at a later date, with representatives from vessel-operating common carriers and shippers expected to attend.

FMC revealed that the hearing will be held in the Surface Transportation Board Hearing Room in Washington D.C.

This month, Sea-Intelligence reported that the Red Sea crisis has caused maritime shipping carriers to become exceedingly volatile and prone to rapid change.

Additionally, Egypt’s Suez Canal’s revenues are reportedly down by 40 per cent from the beginning of this year compared to the same period in 2023 as a result of the Houthi attacks.