Freight News, Logistics, Sea

Maersk Pays FMC $1.9M for Detention Fees

[ June 4, 2026   //   Gary Burrows ]

The Federal Maritime Commission has recovered US$1.9 million in civil penalties from Maersk A/S following allegations that the carrier improperly assessed detention charges against third parties that were not contractually bound by the terms of its bills of lading, service contracts or tariffs.

The FMC said May 26 that the settlement resolves allegations that the Copenhagen-based container shipping line violated the U.S. Shipping Act by billing detention charges to parties that had not consented to be subject to Maersk’s contractual terms.

As part of the compromise agreement, Maersk agreed to discontinue the practice and amend its U.S. tariff rules. The carrier will limit the definition of “merchant” in its bills of lading to shippers, consignees and parties with a beneficial interest in cargo, consistent with FMC regulations.

In addition to the civil penalty, Maersk agreed to provide refunds and waivers to affected third parties.

The FMC said the settlement resulted from its ongoing enforcement efforts to investigate potential violations of the Shipping Act and Commission regulations.

Maersk agreed to the settlement without admitting liability or violations of the Shipping Act.

The case highlights continued FMC scrutiny of carrier detention and demurrage practices following a series of regulatory reforms and enforcement actions aimed at ensuring fees are assessed only to parties legally responsible for cargo movement and equipment use.

Civil penalties collected by the FMC are deposited into the U.S. Treasury’s General Fund. The Commission does not retain any portion of the payments.

Tags: Federal Maritime Commission, Maersk A/S