A U.S.-based association of major ocean common carriers, united by a shared commitment to operational excellence, safety, and the advancement of intermodal transportation standards.
OCEMA’s focus is on the operational and safety matters pertaining to the intermodal transportation of ocean freight within the United States — from the moment a container touches U.S. shores to its final destination.
Our ten member ocean carriers collectively represent approximately 80% of the global container fleet operating in the U.S. market, as measured by Alphaliner’s Top 50 U.S. Global Container Fleet operators. This concentration of operational knowledge and market reach makes OCEMA uniquely positioned to develop standards that have real impact.
OCEMA operates under the U.S. Shipping Act, with its Basic Agreement on file with the Federal Maritime Commission. This regulatory framework ensures that our collaborative work remains transparent, lawful, and in the public interest.
All OCEMA members are ranked in the Top 40 of Alphaliner’s Top 50 U.S. Global Container Fleet operators — representing the apex of the global container shipping industry.
Developing guidelines and best practices that improve the day-to-day operational efficiency of intermodal equipment management across U.S. ports, terminals, and rail corridors.
Ensuring member carriers meet and exceed regulatory requirements for cargo safety, verified gross mass compliance, and secure equipment interchange procedures.
Creating a structured forum where ocean carriers can coordinate on equipment management issues that affect the entire U.S. intermodal supply chain, from ports to inland destinations.
Engaging with motor carriers, port operators, government agencies, and industry associations to ensure that OCEMA’s work reflects the needs of the broader supply chain ecosystem.
OCEMA’s governance is organized across three distinct tiers, ensuring strategic direction, operational coordination, and specialized working-level expertise all function in alignment.
Composed of senior executives from each OCEMA member line, the Steering Committee sets strategic direction, approves policy positions, and provides oversight of all OCEMA activities.
Responsible for identifying emerging issues in intermodal equipment management and chartering working committees to develop coordinated responses and industry positions.
Translates the Steering Committee’s strategic agenda into actionable programs, coordinates between working committees, and manages day-to-day operational priorities.
Ensures coherent coordination across all working committees and that member-level expertise is effectively channeled into OCEMA’s collective positions and publications.
Develops and refines best practice frameworks for container detention and demurrage dispute resolution, aiming for greater transparency and consistency industry-wide.
Monitors regulatory and legislative developments affecting ocean carrier equipment management, coordinates member engagement with government agencies and policymakers.
Addresses specialized operational issues related to generator sets (gensets) used to power refrigerated containers, including maintenance standards and exchange procedures.
Coordinates OCEMA member engagement with the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement (UIIA), ensuring alignment with motor carrier equipment interchange standards.
OCEMA is established in Washington, D.C. as a forum for major ocean carriers to coordinate on equipment management matters affecting U.S. intermodal operations.
OCEMA begins coordinating the industry-wide transition away from ocean carrier chassis provision, developing frameworks for motor carrier and pool-based models.
OCEMA leads the development of Verified Gross Mass best practices ahead of SOLAS Chapter VI enforcement, including the Terminal Weighing Approach and On-Dock Rail guidelines.
OCEMA continues to set the industry agenda across detention and demurrage, cargo weight standards, and emerging intermodal operational challenges for its 10 member carriers.
OCEMA’s Washington, D.C. headquarters positions the association at the heart of U.S. maritime regulatory activity, enabling direct engagement with the Federal Maritime Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Transportation, and other key government bodies.