Federal Maritime Commission suspends operations in US shutdown

Only its three Senate-confirmed commissioners remain in office, while all other staff have been furloughed.

IMAGE: United States trade cargo container hanging. Getty Images.

The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has suspended all operations from 1 October, following the federal government shutdown, the regulator confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.

This comes amid lawmakers failing to agree on new funding, leaving federal agencies without the authority to continue normal operations.

During the shutdown, the Commission’s online databases will remain accessible, but they will not be updated. The FMC will also not respond to inquiries or process filings.

"The Commission will not accept or act on complaints or requests for dispute resolution or ombudsman services during the government shutdown," the regulator said.

It will resume normal operations when appropriations legislation is enacted and the federal government reopens.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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