### Shipping Giant Evergreen Loses FMC Fight in D.C. Court
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) order against Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corp. and its joint service agreement, rejecting their bid to overturn penalties for alleged shipping rule violations. In a decision filed April 28, 2026, the court sided with the FMC, enforcing stricter oversight on ocean carriers amid ongoing supply chain scrutiny.
The case stemmed from FMC allegations that Evergreen violated the Shipping Act by engaging in unfair practices—likely related to pricing, service agreements, or capacity management in the volatile container shipping market. Evergreen petitioned for review after the FMC issued an order imposing sanctions, arguing the agency overreached its authority. Argued November 20, 2025, the dispute centered on whether the FMC’s interpretation of federal maritime law held up under judicial scrutiny.
The court ruled firmly for the FMC, affirming the agency’s power to police carrier alliances and joint ventures that dominate global freight routes. Judges found Evergreen’s challenges lacked merit, emphasizing the FMC’s role in preventing anti-competitive behavior that could jack up costs for U.S. importers and exporters. This matters because it reinforces regulators’ teeth against mega-carriers controlling 80%+ of trans-Pacific trade.
For trucking firms, fleet owners, and logistics pros hauling containerized freight, the ruling signals tighter carrier accountability—potentially stabilizing rates but adding compliance headaches for drayage and intermodal ops reliant on reliable ocean legs.
**Bottom Line:** FMC calls the shots on shipping alliances; carriers, toe the line or pay up.
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10848982/evergreen-shipping-agency-america-corp-v-fmc/
How might stricter FMC rules hit your freight rates?