Senate Ag Committee members John Thune of South Dakota and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota  introduced the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, bipartisan legislation that would update federal regulations for the global shipping industry.

The bill would level the playing field for American exporters by making it harder for ocean carriers to unreasonably refuse goods ready to export at ports, and it would give the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) greater rulemaking authority to regulate harmful practices by carriers and set rules on what fees carriers can reasonably charge shippers and transporters.

South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association President Eric Jennings says they and their national organization support the legislation.

Thune says the bill will force ocean carriers to operate under fair and transparent rules. 

Klobachar says congestion at ports and increased shipping costs pose unique challenges for U.S. exporters, who have seen the price of shipping containers increase four-fold in just two years. Meanwhile, ocean carriers have reported record profits.