FMC Hits Maersk With $1.9 Million Penalty Over Detention Billing

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has secured a $1.9 million civil penalty settlement from Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk over allegations the carrier improperly billed third parties for detention charges under its service contracts and tariff rules.

According to the FMC, the settlement resolves allegations that Maersk assessed detention charges against parties that had not agreed to be bound by the terms of the carrier’s bills of lading, service contracts, or tariffs — a practice regulators said violated the Shipping Act. 

The FMC said Maersk agreed to end the practice and amend its U.S. tariff rules to