WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators is calling out what it calls “unreasonable practices” of ocean shippers that are impacting ag locally.
Reports have emerged that Asian carriers are returning containers to their origin countries empty to get them there faster.
Normally, those containers would first go to rural areas to pick up US ag products for export.
The Capital Press reports the group sent a letter to the Federal Maritime Commission asking for an investigation.
Feed export business owner Shelly Boshart Davis told the paper roughly half of their shipments are delayed by a week or two, and 25% are delayed 2-5 weeks, with prices up 50% since December.