In February 2024, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) promulgated new regulations governing detention and demurrage (D&D) invoicing practices, codified at 46 CFR Part 541 (D&D Final Rule), 89 Fed. Reg. 14330. These regulations were designed to bring clarity and fairness to a system long criticized for its opacity and unpredictability. Among other things, the D&D Final Rule limited which parties could be billed for D&D charges, aiming to restrict invoices to those with a contractual relationship with the billing party — typically ocean carriers (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) or Vessel-Operating Common Carriers (VOCCs)) or marine terminal operators. Continue reading >