The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 has been endorsed by a coalition of 152 firms and trade organizations representing US importers, exporters, transportation providers, and other supply chain stakeholders. Congressmen John Garamendi and Dusty Johnson introduced the bipartisan legislation last month.

The bill would modernize the Shipping Act to reflect substantial developments in the global maritime transportation industry over the last two decades. To sustain their operations and move commodities along the supply chain, US corporations, their workers, and consumers rely on a worldwide maritime transportation system. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the proposed legislation is necessary to deliver important system changes that have been highlighted throughout the worldwide epidemic.

Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-SD) said that foreign ocean carriers aren't playing fair, and American producers are suffering the price. It's past time for new traffic laws. That is exactly what their law does.

Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), said that foreign business’s access to the American market and its consumers is a privilege, not a right. California's agricultural exporters and other industries are willing to pay a premium to ensure that their products reach Asia-Pacific markets. Companies wishing to unload foreign-made goods at West Coast ports, on the other hand, must make room for American exports. Even in the event of a global pandemic, commerce must be mutually beneficial, and their bipartisan bill ensures that.

David French, senior vice president of government relations, NRF said that the supply chain ecosystem is critical to American retailers' capacity to transport items throughout the country to customers every day. The time has come to update the Shipping Act to address the needs of the twenty-first century supply chain. We applaud Congressmen Garamendi and Johnson's efforts to solve the complicated problems that so many businesses are currently facing, and they urge Congress to move quickly on this critical legislation.”

Jennifer Hedrick, executive director, National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) said that the National Industrial Transportation League provides its full endorsement of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 and is pleased to see that it not only addresses current challenges but also provides a framework for a more robust maritime supply chain for all stakeholders. NITL expresses its gratitude to Congressmen Garamendi and Johnson for their work in this crucial area for American firms, consumers, and the global economy.