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The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 requires ocean carriers to certify that late fees — known as “demurrage and detention” charges — comply with federal regulations.

After a container sits at the terminal for a certain number of days, shipping companies begin charging end customers a rental fee for using their box, a charge called demurrage in the industry.

Port of Vancouver said it expects vessels to anchor longer while they await delayed cargo, a situation that usually results in shippers paying demurrage for the extra wait.

The White House in a competition executive order issued July this year encouraged the commission to “vigorously enforce the prohibition of unjust and unreasonable practices in the context of detention and demurrage.”

This summer, the Federal Maritime Commission said it would audit these “demurrage” billings by the top nine ocean carriers, following complaints from shippers about exorbitant charges.