U.S. Court Upholds FMC Decision in Evergreen Detention Fee Dispute at Long Beach Port

A U.S. federal appeals court has upheld the ruling of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) regarding a detention fee dispute involving Evergreen Marine at the Port of Long Beach. The court rejected Evergreen’s appeal in a final decision issued on July 8, 2026, confirming the FMC’s previous determination that certain container detention charges were unreasonable under U.S. shipping regulations.

The case focused on Evergreen’s collection of detention fees during a three-day closure period at the Port of Long Beach caused by a holiday. The FMC concluded that continuing to charge truck companies for container detention during a period when terminal operations were unavailable did not effectively support cargo fluidity and violated the principles of reasonable billing practices.

The court further emphasized that demurrage and detention charges should serve as operational incentives rather than become a financial burden unrelated to actual equipment availability. The decision reinforces the FMC’s interpretation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act and highlights the importance of transparent and fair practices within the container shipping industry.

Industry observers believe the ruling may have broader implications for carriers, terminals, and logistics providers. Shipping companies are expected to strengthen compliance management, while cargo owners and transport operators may gain greater protection against disputed charges, contributing to a more balanced and efficient global supply chain environment.