Commission investigating container shipping practices

WASHINGTON — The Federal Maritime Commission is expected to issue an interim report June 15 on its investigation into some of the business practices of steamship companies that transport cargo containers to and from the United States.

The investigation comes amid reports that many U.S.-based importers are still having difficulty finding space for their containers on vessels coming here from Asia, the commission said.

"Recent reports of container vessel capacity and equipment constraints have raised concerns over both the cause of the constraints and whether those constraints could hinder the nascent economic recovery," the commission said in a March 17 order authorizing the investigation.

Shipping rates plummeted in early 2009 as demand for imports weakened, causing steamship companies to mothball numerous vessels. However, as demand increased late last year and early this year, rates increased dramatically, but many ships remain out of service.

Furniture importers have been especially hard hit by the shipping problems, which peaked around Chinese New Year in February but continue to be an issue today.

The interim report on June 15 report will include the commission's findings and recommendations, and final report is due July 31.

As part of its probe, the commission held hearings in San Francisco, New York and Portland, Ore.