MSC received $22.67 million in penalties for Shipping Act violations and customer overcharging

Summary

In January 2026, the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission announced the conclusion of an enforcement proceeding against MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. and assessed civil penalties totaling $22.67 million for three types of Shipping Act violations. The Commission found that MSC improperly billed certain customs agents for demurrage and detention charges during 2018–2020. It also found tariff violations involving charges for non-operating refrigerated containers from 2021 to early 2023. The Commission further found that MSC overcharged customers for demurrage and detention involving non-operating refrigerated containers. The factual record showed overcharging in approximately 23 percent of the relevant bills during 2021, which the Commission concluded constituted an unreasonable practice. Source / proof: U.S. Federal Maritime Commission: https://www.fmc.gov/articles/msc-assessed-civil-penalties-totaling-22-67-million/