media center

ACD Press Release

Arlington, VA
June 13, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aileen Smith
571-482-3040
asmith@acd-chem.com

Senate Version of Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 Passed by U.S. House

NACD Applauds Bipartisan Consensus To Address the Supply Chain Crisis
 

Arlington, VA – National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) President and CEO Eric R. Byer issued the following statement today after passage of the U.S. Senate’s version of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (S.3580) by the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and global disruptions have all placed immense strain on supply chains throughout our country, including the chemical distribution supply chain. NACD commends the swift and bold action taken by both houses of Congress in crafting this bill, and the bipartisan consensus-building that led to House passage of the Senate version of the bill that, when signed into law, will institute ocean shipping reform that is so necessary for our nation’s economic and national security.

High ocean cargo shipping rates, anticompetitive practices, and arbitrary decision-making have caused significant price increases and backlogs in delivery times, resulting in product shortages and longer wait times for essential products to make it to market. As a result, businesses like chemical distributors have faced significant challenges obtaining the vital chemicals used in goods that support everyday life, while consumers have faced shortages and rising prices.

The legislation passed today will strengthen the Federal Maritime Commission’s current ocean shipping enforcement abilities, expanding its authority to ensure industry-wide compliance with federal law, and establishing a streamlined process for addressing demurrage and detention complaints. It will also give the General Accounting Office the tools it needs to investigate the extent to which ocean carriers have systemically discriminated against the transportation of dangerous goods.

NACD thanks Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD) and the entire House and Senate for their leadership on this critical issue.”

###

NACD and its over 400 member and Affiliate companies are vital to the chemical supply chain providing products to over 750,000 end users. NACD members are leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of Responsible Distribution, established in 1991 as a condition of membership and a third party-verified management practice. For more information on NACD, visit www.acd-chem.com.