Big policy moves rarely arrive one at a time. We dig into a trio of shifts changing how shippers, carriers, and NVOCCs plan: the FMC’s latest civil penalty settlements, early signs of a safer Suez Canal, and a targeted court decision that trims—but doesn’t topple—the detention and demurrage billing rule. Each story stands on its own, but together they point to a strategic truth: regulatory literacy is becoming a real advantage.

We start with the $1.35M in FMC civil penalties and why that matters beyond headlines. These compromise agreements—without admissions—highlight where enforcement is focused: operating in line with published tariffs and making sure rates and charges are actually on the books. We also clarify a crucial detail that shapes incentives: penalty money goes to the U.S. general fund, not to the FMC. That keeps enforcement about standards, not collections, and it nudges everyone toward cleaner documentation, clearer contracts, and fewer “exceptions” that don’t survive scrutiny.

From there, we pivot to routing strategy. After years of detours around the Horn of Africa, some carriers are testing a return to the Suez Canal. The upside is real—shorter transit times, better schedule reliability, improved equipment balance—but risk remains dynamic. We walk through how to scenario-plan Suez vs. Cape, protect mariner safety, and reset inventory buffers without overpromising to customers.

We also break down the pause on Section 301 China port fees. Even with limited pass-through to shippers, the policy signaled that vessel build origin and control can carry costs on U.S. trades. That’s already influencing fleet allocation and future order books. Treat the pause as a lever that can move again. Build contracts that define surcharge handling, give yourself alternatives, and keep a live read on carrier exposure.

Finally, we unpack the DC Circuit’s narrow ruling on the FMC billing rule. The court vacated the “who may be billed” section for lack of clarity, but left the rest intact: the 20 data fields, timing rules, and documentation guardrails still apply. The result is better invoices, simpler disputes, and fewer black-box charges—if you use the framework. We outline what to validate before paying, how to challenge errors, and where the FMC may go next.

If this helped you see the road ahead more clearly, follow the show, share it with your team, and leave a review. Got a question or a topic you want us to tackle next? Send it our way and let’s dig in together.

🎧 Listen to this week’s episode:
👉 www.TheMaritimeProfessor.com/podcast

💡 Have a question or a topic you want us to tackle next? Send it our way.

#maritime #shipping #FMC #Suez #OSRA #detention #demurrage #tradepolicy #supplychain #ByLandAndBySea #TheMaritimeProfessor

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📚 Want to go deeper? Check out our live webinars, on-demand e-courses, and our Just-in-Time Learning™ sessions -- short, plain-language lessons (30 minutes or less) built for supply chain pros who need quick clarity.

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From Buzzards Bay to Beijing — this week was all about maritime strategy in motion.

Lauren recaps highlights from the Second Annual Massachusetts Maritime Strategy Conference, where federal and state leaders worked to align the Commonwealth with other states developing maritime strategies. From workforce pipelines to new ideas like a State House Office of Maritime Affairs, momentum is building.

She also breaks down today’s USTR deadline on suspending the Section 301 China vessel and port fees — explaining who actually paid (hint: not shippers), why the pause matters, and what to watch next.

⚓ Long Summary 

This week, strategy met reality — in two different arenas.

Lauren dives into the Second Annual Massachusetts Maritime Strategy Conference, where state and federal leaders gathered at Massachusetts Maritime Academy to chart the next chapter of the Commonwealth’s maritime future.
From the federal panel featuring Bill Doyle, USCG Rear Adm. (ret.) John Mauger, and Bill Golden to the brainstorming session that generated bold ideas — a possible YouTube campaign to promote the industry, a dedicated Office of Maritime Affairs, and ideas for incentives for ship repair jobs — the day’s energy was unmistakable.

And the conversation hit home when Boston Ship Repair posted a photo of its idle dry dock and tagged MARAD, MSC, and NAVSEA — a reminder of why state-based maritime strategies matter. As Lauren puts it: “We need quick, clear menus of what each state can offer — because when federal funding is ready, it needs a place to go.”

Then she turns to Washington, where the U.S. Trade Representative is closing public comments today on the Section 301 suspension — pausing the China-built and China-operated vessel fees for one year.

Lauren explains why shippers largely avoided the cost (as carriers like COSCO and OOCL absorbed it), how the policy became a targeted pressure point, and why this “pause” is really a strategic timeout.

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If this episode has you wanting to get back to the basics of “Who actually handles what in maritime?” check out “FMC vs. MARAD – Who Does What?”, available now at TheMaritimeProfessor.com
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Fresh off the Senate’s Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding hearing this week, Dr. Sal Mercogliano joins us to share everything he didn’t get to say on the record. We unpack his “Ships for America” warning, his proposal for a Maritime Reserves program, and what he hopes to see in the upcoming Maritime Action Plan due November 5. Then we turn to China’s unexpected restraint and what the one-year pause on Section 301 port fees really signals for global shipping strategy.

⚓ Expanded Summary

When a congressional hearing earns praise instead of eye-rolls, you know something’s changing. The Senate’s Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding brought together voices from across the industry — Matt Paxton (Shipbuilders Council of America), Jeff Vogel (TOTE Services), Tuuli Snow (Snow & Company), and Dr. Sal Mercogliano (Campbell University) — for one of the most substantive maritime policy discussions in years.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Sal Mercogliano fresh off the hearing to capture everything that didn’t fit into his five-minute testimony. He expands on his call for a Maritime Reserves program — a proposal Senator Cantwell immediately engaged on — and explains why rebuilding America’s maritime strength means focusing on both ships and sailors. We also dive into his “Ships for America” warning, the lessons of the 1920 and 1936 Maritime Acts, and why the timing of the Maritime Action Plan could mark the start of a genuine U.S. maritime strategy revival.

Highlights from the hearing:
🔹 How Sal’s “Ships for America” message reframed U.S. industrial strategy
🔹 His proposal for a Maritime Reserves program — and how Sen. Cantwell immediately engaged on it
🔹 Why bipartisan momentum is building around the upcoming Maritime Action Plan (due Nov 5)
🔹 And what all this means for shipbuilders, mariners, and shippers watching U.S.–China trade signals after the temporary pause on Section 301 port fees

We also zoom out to the global picture — where a tentative U.S.–China deal has paused both U.S. and mirrored Chinese port fees for one year. Instead of escalating, Beijing matched Washington’s structure and quietly absorbed the costs through COSCO and OOCL. The result? Stability over spectacle — and a sign that both sides are managing leverage, not launching a trade war.

If you’ve been waiting for proof that Washington is serious about maritime again — this is the episode.

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Senate hearings meet Arctic geopolitics. This week’s episode breaks down how U.S. maritime nominees outlined plans to rebuild industrial strength and restore competitiveness—while Russia and China formalized their Northern Sea Route partnership, raising questions about access, influence, and the future of global chokepoints.  

Expanded Description:
In this episode of By Land and By Sea, Lauren unpacks two developments shaping the future of maritime policy and global trade. 

⚓ On Capitol Hill: The Senate Commerce Committee vetted nominees for the Federal Maritime Commission (Robert Harvey and Laura DiBella) and the Maritime Administration (Stephen Carmel). Carmel highlighted that it’s not just about ships—it’s about cargo. Harvey emphasized the impact of enforcement actions and even explained his Great Lakes ties, while DiBella focused on fairness and transparency in detention and demurrage practices and across the supply chain ecosystem. 

🔹 And another thing... Chairman Ted Cruz called for a maritime strategy centered on removing regulatory barriers, modernizing ports, and attracting private capital—signaling bipartisan recognition that maritime competitiveness is national security. 

❄️ Meanwhile, in the Arctic: Russia and China signed a deal to co-develop the Northern Sea Route—the same corridor the FMC flagged as a potential chokepoint. Perhaps the risk isn’t just ice; it might also be access. As these nations coordinate on policy, infrastructure, and fees, the FMC’s chokepoint investigation becomes even more relevant to ensuring global cargo flow remains open and fair. 

🎓 Just-in-Time Learning™ Spotlight:
If all of this has you wondering—“Wait… which agency deals with what?”—you’re not alone.
Check out my less than 30-minute course 👉 “FMC vs MARAD: Who Does What in Maritime Washington” at TheMaritimeProfessor.com
.
It’s plain language, practical.

🎧 Episode: “FMC Nominees & the Arctic Watch: The Future of Maritime Policy and Chokepoints”
👉 Listen now: www.TheMaritimeProfessor.com/podcast
 

#maritime #shipping #FMC #MARAD #supplychain #maritimepolicy #ByLandAndBySea #TheMaritimeProfessor #NorthernSeaRoute #industrialbase #chokepoints 

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Headlines scream trade war, but our radar shows choreography. We unpack how the U.S. Section 301 vessel fees and China’s mirrored port charges operate like a controlled conversation—clear signals with tight guardrails—while cargo keeps moving and markets recalibrate. From exemptions and caps to first-port-only assessments, we trace why this design aims at leverage, not revenue, and how carriers are already adapting without triggering a supply chain shock.

We walk through the mechanics that matter: which vessels are actually exposed, why build origin and operating control change the calculus, and how alliances quietly repositioned tonnage to avoid the sharpest edges. You’ll hear why analysts see limited immediate impact on U.S. port calls, what COSCO’s steady rotations suggest about state-managed restraint, and how selective carve-outs reveal space for diplomacy. Then we zoom out to the long game—shipyard order books tilting toward South Korea, India, and allied builders—as incentives nudge capital away from fee-heavy risk and toward diversified capacity.

If you manage logistics or compliance, this conversation is a field manual. We share a simple exposure map to build now, invoice checks to catch pass-throughs, and practical diversification moves that add flexibility without blowing up your network. We also look ahead: leadership shifts at the FMC and MARAD, data transparency pushes, and the coming leader-to-leader meeting that could turn reversible fees into negotiating chips on shipbuilding, port technology, and reciprocal access. The theme is precision over panic—policy as a scalpel, not a hammer—backed by steps you can take today.

If this lens helps you see the signal in the noise, follow and subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review. Your feedback guides what we dive into next—and keeps this community a step ahead of the next policy move.

----

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This week’s episode connects the dots between ports, policy, and technology — from new AI cargo safety tools to China’s retaliatory port fees and the U.S.–Finland icebreaker deal. Fresh off the AAPA Annual Convention in Quebec City, Lauren breaks down how smart strategy means more than new tech — it’s about translation, visibility, and human insight.

Expanded Description:

In this week’s episode of By Land and By Sea, The Maritime Professor®, Lauren Beagen, unpacks a fast-moving week in global shipping and supply chain strategy.

From AI scanning for dangerous goods to digital standards and tariff-driven behavior shifts, Lauren explores how data, design, and diplomacy are reshaping maritime operations — and why “smart strategy” means understanding the human element behind it all.

⚓ AI cargo safety: The National Cargo Bureau and World Shipping Council launched a partnership using artificial intelligence to detect misdeclared or dangerous goods before loading — a major leap in predictive safety.

 💸 Tariff enforcement: The DOJ sentenced executives in the L.A. fashion district for evading $19M in customs duties — a reminder that data integrity equals compliance integrity.

 🧩 DCSA digital standards: The Digital Container Shipping Association launched its new standard conformance page— and now you can check carrier adoption directly on their conformance grid, covering Track & Trace, eBLs, and booking data (https://dcsa.org/standard-conformance)

 🇨🇳 China’s retaliatory port fees: A mirror response to U.S. Section 301 tariffs, China imposed special port fees on U.S.-linked ships, starting at 400 yuan per net ton and rising to 1,120 yuan by 2028.

 🚢 Industry workarounds: Bloomberg via gCaptain reports carriers are reflagging and rerouting to minimize tariff exposure — a clear sign that the policy is influencing fleet behavior, just as intended.

 ❄️ U.S.–Finland icebreaker deal: The U.S. approved a major collaboration with Finland to build 11 new icebreakers, bolstering Arctic access, Great Lakes operations, and allied shipbuilding capacity.

From Quebec City to Washington, the message is clear:
The maritime world isn’t just collecting data — it’s learning to translate it into action.

🎧 Episode: When Trade Shifts, Data Steers: Lessons from Quebec City (AAPA Convention)
👉 Listen now at www.TheMaritimeProfessor.com/podcast

💡 Takeaway: The future of maritime strategy isn’t about more data — it’s about better translation, visibility, and connection.

 ⚠️ As always, this content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. If you need an attorney, contact an attorney.

#m

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If you’ve ever wondered how “90% of everything” actually reaches your doorstep, this conversation pulls back the curtain. I’m joined by Carl Bentzel—former FMC Commissioner and now Executive Director of the National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE)—to explain what terminal operators really do, why they’re the hub of the entire logistics ecosystem, and where U.S. ports must evolve to stay competitive without breaking the dance between ship, rail, truck, and warehouse.

🎧 Expanded Description

Carl Bentzel has seen maritime from every angle: Capitol Hill, the FMC, and now as the leader of NAWE, representing the employers who keep U.S. terminals running. In this episode, he pulls no punches in explaining why terminals matter more than most people realize—and how policy, data, and labor all intersect at the dock.

Carl traces key lessons from the pandemic crunch: transportation is cheap when it’s on time, but delays explode costs and risks across industries—from respirators to water treatment chemicals. We unpack how containerization and on-dock rail transformed throughput, and why today’s constraints are often hidden upstream (blank sailings, slow rail velocity) or downstream (chassis availability, limited warehouse hours).

We dig into the push to rebuild a U.S. maritime industrial base amid heavy Chinese dominance in containers and ship-to-shore cranes, making the case for realistic transition periods, waivers, and funding so terminals can modernize without service shocks. We also tackle cross-border competition: how uneven penalties or taxes can nudge cargo toward Canada or Mexico, and what policy parity should look like.

Data and labor take center stage too. The FMC’s Maritime Transportation Data Initiative revealed a simple truth: technology fails without timely, standardized operational data. We highlight practical fixes—DCSA-aligned standards, real-time ETAs, transparent gate schedules—that improve planning for everyone. And we talk people: safety, training, and adopting productivity-enhancing equipment through collaboration with longshore labor.

Looking ahead, Carl lays out a pragmatic roadmap—dedicated infrastructure funding, decarbonization plans matched to cost and timelines, and tighter coordination across carriers, railroads, truckers, and warehouses—to keep the hub spinning.

⚓ If you care about supply chain resilience, port competitiveness, and how policy choices ripple into prices and jobs, this one’s for you.

🎧 Ports, Policy, and People: A Conversation with Carl Bentzel (NAWE)
👉 Listen now: www.TheMaritimeProfessor.com/podcast

🙏 Special thanks again to NAWE for supporting this episode of By Land and By Sea.

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📚 Want to go deeper? Check out our live webinars, on-demand e-courses, and our Just-in-Time Learning™ sessions -- short, plain-language lessons (30 minutes or less) built for supply chain pros who need quick clarity.

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🎧 Short Summary 

Shipyards sit at the very heart of America’s maritime future, operating as both industrial engines and strategic assets essential to national security. In this conversation with Caitlin Hardy, Founder of Ness Sea Consulting, we explore the challenges and opportunities in rebuilding U.S. shipbuilding capacity, the lessons commercial yards can teach defense programs, and the innovations shaping maritime construction. Plus, I share reflections from the Women in AgriBusiness Summit, where bulk carriers and the looming Section 301 USTR port fees emerged as critical concerns for U.S. grain exports.  

🎧 Expanded Description 

Shipyards don’t just build vessels—they shape America’s maritime strength. In this episode, I’m joined by Caitlin Hardy of Ness Sea Consulting to break down why shipyards are both economic engines and national security assets, and how America can rethink its approach to shipbuilding. 

Hardy brings a wealth of experience from her naval architecture background and work with industry leaders like Kongsberg, Crowley, Holland America, and Foss Maritime. Responding to our recurring car manufacturing analogy, she argues that the U.S. must first master building reliable “F-150s” before focusing too heavily on ambitious “Cybertrucks” in ship design. She also shares examples of commercial innovation—from AI-enhanced radar systems to hull-cleaning robots—that make shipping safer and more efficient without requiring revolutionary vessels. 

We also contrast commercial and defense practices, asking what the Navy could learn from cruise lines that refurbish massive vessels in just two weeks with thousands of contractors onboard. Hardy’s perspective highlights where efficiency and innovation can intersect. 

Alongside shipyards, we spotlight another pressing issue: bulk carriers and U.S. grain exports. At the Women in AgriBusiness Summit in Orlando, concerns centered on the new Section 301 USTR port fees set to begin October 14. With slim margins in ag exports and many bulk carriers Chinese-built or owned, a $1M+ fee could either deter vessels from calling U.S. ports—or erase the competitiveness of U.S. commodities if passed down the chain - both concerns I will continue to look into. 

For anyone involved in ocean shipping, maritime technology, or national security planning, this episode offers crucial insights into how shipyards and trade policy together shape America’s maritime future—and what steps we must take now to strengthen both. 

 ⚓ A special thanks to our partner Ness Sea Consulting for supporting today’s episode. 

🎧 Shipyards, Security, and Strategy with Caitlin Hardy
👉 Listen now: www.TheMaritimeProfessor.com/podcast 

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Season 5 of By Land and By Sea continues with a Captain’s Log edition—a fast, plain-language rundown of the biggest moves reshaping U.S. maritime policy and global shipping.

The maritime landscape is being reshaped through deliberate U.S. policy shifts targeting China's global port network, the United States implementing new vessel fees, WSC addressing container ship safety, expanding mariner credentialing, and combating cargo theft.

• US mounting ambitious maritime strategy to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative port network, treating port access as national security
• New USTR Section 301 port fees starting October 14 will charge vessels built in China or operated by Chinese companies when calling at US ports
• World Shipping Council launched a cargo safety program using AI-powered screening to prevent container ship fires caused by misdeclared dangerous goods
• Coast Guard extended the sea service recency period from three to seven years, helping retain mariners who step away from sailing
• DOT seeking industry input on cargo theft through an October 20 Request for Information to address sophisticated criminal operations

🎧 Listen: Season 5, Episode 2 — Ships, Fees, and Thieves: The New Maritime Chessboard
👉 TheMaritimeProfessor.com/podcast

💡 Upcoming Live Webinar: Thursday, October 2 at 12:00 PM ET — USTR China 301 Port Fees. Register at TheMaritimeProfessor.com to learn who actually gets stuck with the bill—in plain language, no fine print.

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Season 5 kicks off with Acting Maritime Administrator Sang Yi, bringing his merchant marine background, Navy Reserve service, and policy expertise to MARAD at a pivotal time. We discuss the success of the NSMV/VCM program, the rebirth of Hanwha Philly Shipyard, and how innovation and tradition can move together in U.S. maritime. With new FMC nominees, billions in shipbuilding investment, and the Maritime Action Plan deadline on November 5, momentum is building fast. 

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🚢 Season 5 of By Land and By Sea sets sail with Acting Maritime Administrator Sang Yi.

Since stepping into the role in June, Yi has been everywhere—listening, learning, and engaging with both familiar leaders and fresh voices across the industry. He brings a rare mix of merchant marine credentials, Navy Reserve service, and policy expertise to MARAD at a pivotal time for American shipbuilding.

In our conversation, we dig into:
 ⚓ The National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program—multi-mission ships for training, disaster response, and more.
⚓ The Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) model—how MARAD partnered with TOTE Services and Hanwha Philly Shipyard to deliver vessels on time and on budget.
⚓ The rebirth of Hanwha Philly Shipyard—from 60 workers to 1,800, with a $5B expansion plan on deck.
⚓ Yi’s four-pillar vision: people, ships, cargo, and ports—balancing deep respect for tradition with disruptive innovation.

And the momentum doesn’t stop there. Since we last spoke:
 🔹 Two new FMC nominees, Laura DiBella and Robert Harvey, are awaiting Senate confirmation - potentially bringing the Commission back to a full roster of five.
 🔹 USTR’s Section 301 port fees take effect in October, reshaping costs for port calls depending on vessel build and operation.
🔹 The Maritime Action Plan—the capstone of the Executive Order on Maritime Dominance—is due November 5, setting the stage for what comes next.

It’s a packed fall for U.S. maritime—new leadership, new ships, new policies, and new investments all converging.

🎧 Season 5, Episode 1: Balancing Innovation and Tradition – A Conversation with Acting Maritime Administrator Sang Yi
👉 Listen here: www.TheMaritimeProfessor.com/podcast

💡 Engagement ask: Our first Just-in-Time Learning™ session is FMC vs. MARAD: What’s the Difference? What other mini-courses would be most useful for you? Share in the comments or send me a DM—I’d love your input.

#maritime #shipping #supplychain #FMC #MARAD #shipbuilding #ByLandAndBySea #TheMaritimeProfessor

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