FMC Resumes Operations Following October Shutdown
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has resumed operations as of November 13, 2025, following the government funding lapse that began on October 1. While the reopening is good news, we expect a gradual return to normal operations as the agency works through over six weeks of backlog.
The Bureau of Certification and Licensing (BCL) has reopened its submission portals for OTI licenses (FMC-18), foreign NVOCC registrations (FMC-65), Form FMC-1 tariff registrations, among others. However, due to the volume of pending applications, processing times are expected to be significantly delayed.
All filing deadlines that were suspended under 46 C.F.R. § 502.101 are now active again. OTIs whose filing dates lapsed during the closure should plan to submit overdue renewals immediately to minimize regulatory risk exposure.
Steps for OTIs, including NVOCCs and OFFs
To help maintain compliance, OTIs should take the following steps:
Respond promptly to any outstanding correspondence or requests issued by the FMC
Be ready to submit pending renewals, including OTI licenses and FMC-65 registrations, by their original statutory deadlines
Treat all past-due submissions as urgent, since statutory obligations continued during the shutdown
What to Expect in the Coming Weeks
Stakeholders should expect extended timelines for:
OTI license issuance or renewal
Bond rider processing
Agreement and service contract review
Complaint intake and responses
During this period, Paramount Tariff Services, Inc. will continue to monitor the Commission’s comments and response times.
Disclaimer
Not Legal Advice: The content provided by Paramount Tariff Services, Inc., including all text, graphics, images, and other material, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the material should not be considered as comprehensive legal advice or a guide for individual legal situations.
We strongly recommend consulting with a qualified attorney for specific legal advice tailored to your situation. The use of information contained in this newsletter does not create an attorney-client relationship, as Paramount Tariff Services is not a law firm. Paramount Tariff Services, Inc., along with its employees, agents, and representatives, expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents on this website.