The American Trucking Associations’ Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference (IMCC) announced February 6 it has secured a significant initial win over ocean carriers, as a Federal Maritime Commission administrative law judge ruled that requiring motor carriers to use specific intermodal chassis providers to move containers violates the Shipping Act.

“This victory has been a long time coming,” said IMCC Executive Director Jonathan Eisen. “The decision is the first step in putting a stop to the practice of foreign-owned shipping lines forcing American drivers and motor carriers to use specific equipment providers to move goods – which will help reduce supply chain delays and cut costs for carriers and consumers.”

IMCC filed its complaint against the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association, Consolidated Chassis Management, and the world’s largest ocean carriers with the FMC in 2020, alleging, among other things, that they have denied motor carriers the ability to choose their provider when leasing this essential equipment, heaping unjust and unreasonable prices upon trucking companies.

“The ocean carrier’s practices of prohibiting motor carriers from using the provider of their choice when they are paying for the chassis has held US motor carriers hostage and forced them to subsidize the shipping lines,” Eisen said. “We are pleased the judge agreed and we look forward to ending these unreasonable and unjust practices permanently.”