November 2. 2026 | Page 7

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to $ 25,000 a day if the violation is found to be“ willful and knowing,” stating the Chinese carrier may have already racked up nearly $ 90,000 in separate, additional penalties. In September 2025, a small claims officer ordered Cosco to pay $ 24,328 to Oregon-based Agribusiness Holdings Limited Partnership for failing to provide invoices for demurrage charges it levied against the shipper at Long Beach Container Terminal in 2022.“ Cosco was reminded extensively for months about its non-payment, yet it appears to have been out of compliance with the commission’ s order for 223 days,” the FMC said in its order to show cause.“ That raises the question whether these
potential violations of the statute were knowing and willful.” FMC Secretary David Eng said Cosco will need to explain by Dec. 1 why it has failed to make timely reparations. The FMC considers Cosco a government-controlled carrier, subjecting it to enhanced regulatory oversight on the basis that government-subsidized shipping companies could undercut privately-owned carriers to gain access to the US market or otherwise disrupt trade. Cosco has the largest slice of the US inbound market from Asia, handling 15.7 % of laden volumes in August, according to data from PIERS, a sister company of Journal of Commerce. Cosco was not available for comment.
NY-NJ port employers name Atkins to leadership group
John Atkins, a former ocean carrier and marine terminal executive, has been appointed chief operating officer for the group representing Port of New York and New Jersey maritime employers. The Shipping Association of New York and New Jersey( SANYNJ) said in a statement that Atkins will succeed Susan Winfree as COO and executive vice president for the employers’ association. Winfree, who will retire in February 2027 after 16 years at SANYNJ, played a key role in hiring 1,000 longshore workers at the port, the statement said. In his new role, Atkins will oversee daily operations associated with the local contract between SANYNJ and the International Longshoremen’ s Association( ILA) and the Port Police and Guards Union( PPGU). Atkins, who has been in the maritime industry for 40 years, stepped down from his role as chief executive for CMA CGM’ s New York-New Jersey marine terminals this past June. He also served as chief executive under the terminals’ previous owner Global Container Terminals, as well as holding executive roles at CMA CGM, NYK Line and SeaLand. Atkins was also a member of the SANYNJ’ s board of directors from 2014 through 2026 and served on the board of the Metropolitan Marine Maintenance Contractors’ Association, which represents employers of ILA mechanics. He also served as chairman for the Federal Maritime Commission discussion group of New York-New Jersey terminals and on the boards of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey and Signal Mutual, the non-profit insurance group for longshore labor.

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