- Website and online databases remain accessible, but will not be updated.
- SERVCON system is available, but submissions will not be processed.
- Filing deadlines and agreement effective dates suspended and tolled.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC or Commission) will be closed starting October 1, 2025, due to a federal government shutdown resulting from a lapse in appropriations. The Commission plans to get back to its usual operations once new appropriations legislation is passed and the government reopens. You can find the current shutdown plan on their website under Shutdown Due to Lapse in Appropriations, reports FMC.
Status of Commission Employees
During this shutdown, all Commission employees are on furlough and, by law, cannot perform any duties. The only exceptions are Commissioners Rebecca F. Dye, Daniel B. Maffei, and Max Vekich, who will continue their roles as they are Presidentially-appointed and Senate-confirmed officials.
Suspension of Commission Functions
All functions of the Commission are on hold for the duration of the shutdown. They won’t be responding to any email or phone inquiries. While the Commission’s website will still be up and running, no new information will be added until it resumes operations. The SERVCON system will still be available for service contract filings, but the FMC won’t be processing any submissions during the shutdown. Online applications and filings, such as OTI license updates (FMC-18), Foreign Unlicensed NVOCC registrations or renewals (FMC-65), Tariff Registration Forms (FMC-1), eAgreements, and eMonitoring submissions, will not be accepted. Additionally, the Commission will not process filings for ocean carrier or marine terminal operator agreements or amendments, applications for certification of financial responsibility for cruise lines, or agreement monitoring reports.
Availability of Online Databases
During the shutdown, the following FMC databases will still be available, but they won’t receive any updates:
- SERVCON
- Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (VOCC) and NVOCC Tariff List
- List of FMC Licensed and Bonded OTIs
- Agreement Notices & Library
Complaints and Dispute Resolution
Please note that the Commission won’t be accepting or addressing any complaints during this time. Requests for dispute resolution or ombudsman services will also be on hold until we reopen.
Suspension of Filing Deadlines
As of 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025, all filing deadlines for both formal and informal adjudicatory and investigatory proceedings are suspended. No filings will be processed while the shutdown is in effect. Additionally, deadlines and time limits for filed agreements, including their effective dates and amendments, will be paused during this period. For more details on filing deadlines during government shutdowns, please refer to 46 C.F.R. § 502.101.
Once the federal government reopens, the Commission will get back to its regular operations.
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Source: FMC
