Ocean Shipping Act of 1979

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Ocean Shipping Act of 1979 - Amends the Shipping Act, 1916, to declare that the national maritime policy is to promote and develop: (1) efficient, innovative, and economically sound ocean transportation in the foreign and domestic commerce of the United States; (2) substantial participation by United States-flag vessels in the foreign commerce of the United States; (3) protection of the rights of shippers and consumers by preventing discriminatory or deceptive practices; (4) encouragement of the lowest possible freight rates and the highest quality service; (5) increased United States' exports; (6) comity with United States' trading partners; and (7) a regulatory environment responsive to the needs of the public in which decisions are reached promptly and fairly. Directs the Federal Maritime Commission, after notice and hearing, to permit common carriers in foreign commerce to utilize patronage contracts (under which a shipper obtains a lower rate by committing all or a fixed portion of its cargo to a carrier or conference of carriers) unless such a contract is inconsistent with the national maritime policy or the contract fails to include specified provisions as enumerated in this…