Ocean Intermodal
Excellence.
The Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association (OCEMA) coordinates operational safety, efficiency, and regulatory standards across the U.S. intermodal transportation system.
Intermodal Metrics
Urgent Notification: SOLAS VGM Compliance
Mandatory Best Practice Guidelines for terminal weight certifications and export operations are currently in effect.
Live Port Status (Simulated)
Interactive Container Journey
Click on each step below to inspect how OCEMA carriers, port terminals, and Consolidated Chassis Management coordinate the intermodal container flow.
1. Vessel Arrival
2. Port Crane Handling
3. Chassis Mount
4. Inland Destination
Step 1: Ocean Carrier Vessel Arrival
The container ship berths at a U.S. port terminal. Prior to arrival, vessel stowage plan safety depends entirely on accurate Verified Gross Mass (VGM) declarations transmitted from the shipper to the carrier under IMO SOLAS regulations.
Step 2: Terminal Yard Cranes Operations
Port cranes unload container cargo units onto terminal stacks. High efficiency and yard safety require standard compliance policies endorsed by terminal operators and ocean common carriers, minimizing delays.
Step 3: CCM Cooperative Chassis Pool Mounting
Motor carriers pick up containers from the yard using intermodal chassis. With Consolidated Chassis Management (CCM) pools, chassis resources are pooled cooperatively, lowering equipment congestion at terminal gates.
Step 4: Safe Highway & Rail Transport
Cargo containers travel via U.S. highways or railroads. All over-the-road shipments must strictly adhere to maximum gross allowable weight limits to avoid state or federal weight violations and ensure public safety.
About OCEMA
A powerful forum for the world's leading ocean carriers to advance intermodal excellence across the United States.
OCEMA is an association of major U.S. and foreign flag international ocean common carriers. OCEMA provides a forum for its members to discuss, evaluate, and reach agreement with respect to matters pertaining to the interchange, transportation, use, and operation of carrier equipment in the U.S.
Included in its scope are equipment-related operational, safety, and regulatory activities such as participation in industry forums, educational sessions, regulatory proceedings, and legislative matters.
OCEMA members operate worldwide and serve all major U.S. ports and inland locations, moving cargoes primarily in containers. OCEMA's activities are authorized under the U.S. Shipping Act, as amended. The OCEMA Basic Agreement is filed with the Federal Maritime Commission.
"As a regular part of intermodal transportation services provided to U.S. manufacturers, importers, retailers, and others, OCEMA members interchange cargo to be carried to and from U.S. inland locations via motor carriers and railroads."
Global ocean common carriers representing elite fleet operators.
Total U.S. container market share represented collectively by members.
Authorized operational framework filed under the U.S. Shipping Act.
Complete coverage across coastal ports and major inland hubs.
The Intermodal Chassis — A Critical Link
The intermodal system depends upon a relatively simple piece of equipment — the chassis — to move a container between an intermodal terminal (rail or ocean) and its origin or destination. Managing this equipment effectively is at the heart of OCEMA's mission.
Chassis Provisioning InfoOCEMA Members
The world's foremost ocean carriers — united by a commitment to operational excellence and intermodal safety. Click any carrier to visit their official website.
Standing Committees
OCEMA's structural framework is driven by policy steering committees, operations boards, and focused task forces that address the full spectrum of intermodal challenges.
Senior Steering Committee
Comprised of senior representatives from each member line, this committee acts as the primary policy-making forum for strategic industry directions and coordinating association engagement with regulators and stakeholders.
Operations Council
Oversees working-level committees and serves as the primary forum for discussing engineering, logistics, and intermodal equipment matters. It translates policy decisions into concrete best practices.
Working Committees
Specialized panels focused on critical operational and compliance workflows
Detention & Demurrage Dispute Committee
Standardizes D&D dispute resolution timelines and documentation across carriers for clean, accessible processes.
Legislative Committee
Monitors federal and state legislative developments affecting intermodal transport and represents association interests.
Genset Equipment Committee
Addresses standards and maintenance practices for refrigerated container gensets utilized in rail and road segments.
UIIA Coordinating Committee
Coordinates participation in the Uniform Intermodal Interchange & Facilities Access Agreement to ensure interchange standards.
Consolidated Chassis Management
CCM was formed by OCEMA to manage cooperative chassis pools throughout the United States, improving efficiency and safety across intermodal operations.
Cooperative Pool Efficiencies
Consolidated Chassis Management, LLC (CCM) pools streamline operations, reduce chassis transport congestion, and enhance safety standards across the intermodal supply chain.
By sharing equipment through cooperative pool structures, member lines and draymen achieve superior operational efficiencies compared to carrier-owned chassis models. This approach aligns U.S. intermodal operations with global standards where chassis are managed by neutral third parties.
CCM Regional Pools
Neutral equipment pools operated across major U.S. logistics lanes
Cargo Weight Guidelines
OCEMA recommended maximum gross allowable cargo weights in international intermodal containers for transport on the USA Highway System.
Interactive Highway Compliance Simulator
Adjust weight and equipment variables to verify if the container cargo payload is within OCEMA's recommended U.S. highway limits.
Within Highway Limit
This configuration complies with the maximum gross allowable cargo weight recommendations for safe U.S. highway transport.
Allowable Cargo Weight Table
Weights represent maximum payload including product plus packaging, pallets, and bracing materials
| Container & Chassis Configuration | U.S. Pounds (lbs) | Kilograms (kg) | Weight Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20' DRY on slider chassis | 39,200 | 17,780 | |
| 20' DRY on TRI AXLE slider chassis | 44,000 | 19,960 | |
| 20' REEFER on slider chassis | 34,900 | 15,830 | |
| 20' REEFER on TRI AXLE slider chassis | 39,700 | 18,010 | |
| 40' DRY (H=8'6") on standard GN chassis | 44,000 | 19,960 | |
| 40' HC (H=9'6") on standard GN chassis | 43,700 | 19,820 | |
| 40' REEFER (H=8'6") on standard GN chassis | 39,800 | 18,050 | |
| 40' HC REEFER (H=9'6") on standard GN chassis | 39,300 | 17,830 |
Note: Maximum Gross Allowable Cargo Weight includes product plus all packaging, pallets, and any blocking, bracing, and dunnage materials.
Disclaimer: The above weights are intended only as general guidelines to promote safe and lawful road transport. Actual allowable weight varies by equipment and state or federal rules. Users must verify applicable local laws and regulations before transport.
Chassis Provisioning Information
The U.S. is unique in that intermodal chassis have historically been provided by ocean carriers. The industry is now transitioning to cooperative, neutral, and merchant-based models.
Ocean carriers are increasingly transitioning away from providing chassis directly, moving toward cooperative, neutral, and merchant-based models similar to those used worldwide. This transition requires active collaboration between all intermodal stakeholders — carriers, terminals, motor carriers, and shippers.
Suggested Location Status Schedule
OCEMA has established reviews for several geographic regions to ensure stability in the equipment supply chain during transitions
| Location | CCM Pool | Review Completed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | N/A | Jan 1, 2011 | Complete |
| New York, NY | N/A | Apr 1, 2011 | Complete |
| Boston, MA | N/A | Apr 1, 2011 | Complete |
| St. Louis / Kansas City / Omaha | MWCP | May 1, 2011 | Complete |
| Baltimore, MD | N/A | May 1, 2011 | Complete |
| Denver, CO / Salt Lake City, UT | DCCP | Jun 1, 2011 | Complete |
| Norfolk, VA | N/A | Jun 1, 2011 | Complete |
| South Atlantic Region | SACP | Jul 1, 2011 | Complete |
| Gulf Region | GCCP | Oct 1, 2011 | Complete |
| Memphis / Nashville, TN | MCCP | Dec 1, 2011 | Complete |
| Midwest Region | COCP | Feb 1, 2012 | Complete |
Carrier Announcements Matrix
Comprehensive Summary of Ocean Carrier Chassis Announcements — includes all carrier policy announcements by location and date.
Chassis Provision FAQ
Answers to common questions about chassis provisioning model shifts in the U.S. intermodal system.
The U.S. system is a historical anomaly. Worldwide, chassis are provided by motor carriers, terminals, or shippers — not ocean carriers. Aligning provision and physical control with the party that operates the equipment reduces congestion, encourages multiple supply sources, and simplifies regulatory compliance and maintenance accountability.
Each carrier independently decides whether, where, and when to change its provisioning policy based on their own commercial needs and operational considerations. The pace and scope of change varies by carrier and geographic market. We recommend checking directly with your ocean carrier partners for their specific policies.
No, chassis are not going away — they will simply be managed by different entities. Efficient cooperative pool setups, like those managed by CCM, are expected to improve overall chassis availability and reduce the dwell time and repositioning costs associated with single-carrier ownership models.
Yes. Many of the contemplated changes actually facilitate the use of trucker-owned or leased chassis, similar to international standards. This transition can benefit draymen who wish to own and operate their own equipment by creating a more level playing field comparable to how the rest of the world operates.
Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
OCEMA's Recommended Best Practice for VGM acceptance and transmission, guiding intermodal operators under IMO SOLAS requirements for safe vessel stowage planning.
OCEMA VGM Best Practice
OCEMA has adopted a Recommended Best Practice for the Acceptance and Transmission of Verified Gross Mass (VGM) and a VGM Process Map to guide intermodal operators. The guidance addresses how ocean carriers receive weight declarations and share them with terminal operators for safe vessel stowage planning.
OCEMA VGM Best Practice
Best Practice for Acceptance and Transmission of VGM including Terminal Weighing and On-Dock Rail.
OCEMA VGM Process Map
Visual process map illustrating the VGM data flow from shipper through carrier to terminal operator.
Joint Policy Statement on TWA
Joint Policy Statement on Terminal Weighing Approach for U.S. Export containers — endorsed by OCEMA and port operators.
OCEMA Tariff Database
Access the official OCEMA Tariff information through the RateWave system portal.
Detention & Demurrage
OCEMA's Recommended Best Practice for Detention & Demurrage Dispute Resolution Processes encourages clear, simple, and accessible mechanisms for resolving disputes.
These practices are intended to standardize timelines and documentation requests across ocean carriers, making dispute processes transparent and predictable for all stakeholders. The guidelines apply to all OCEMA member carriers and set a benchmark for the broader industry.
Dispute Resolution Step-by-Step Roadmap
Interact with the wizard below to understand the recommended timelines and parameters for submitting a D&D dispute.
Step 1: Identify Billing Discrepancies
Compare the detention or demurrage invoice received from the carrier against terminal gate-in/gate-out logs. Verify if the invoice accounts for all free time parameters under contract tariffs.
Step 2: Collect Supporting Evidence
Gather motor carrier gate activity tickets, drayage run slips, vessel delay notices, or port closures records that justify why equipment could not be returned or picked up inside the free time frame.
Step 3: Submit Dispute Claims
Send the formal dispute claim package directly via the carrier's designated billing portal or official dispute email address within 30 days of the invoice date.
Step 4: Carrier Review Phase
The ocean carrier acknowledges claim receipt, reviews the evidence logs, and cross-references terminal data. They may request minor clarifications or missing files during this cycle.
Step 5: Resolution & Adjustments
The carrier renders a final decision within 30 calendar days of receiving the complete dispute file. Valid claims trigger credit invoice updates or write-offs.
D&D Dispute Cost & Claim Generator
Simulate estimated detention and demurrage invoice dispute charges and generate a pre-formatted dispute email template.
Estimated Claim Value
Suggested Documents Checklist:
- • Gating slips / EIR receipts
- • Screenshots of terminal appointment screen showing no appointments
Recommended Best Practice for D&D Dispute Resolution
Complete OCEMA guidelines for standardized detention and demurrage dispute resolution processes across member carriers.
Press Release: D&D Best Practice Announcement
Official OCEMA press release announcing the Recommended Best Practice for Detention & Demurrage Dispute Resolution.
Stakeholder Outreach Events
OCEMA and CCM representatives participate in conferences and webinars to keep the supply chain community informed on intermodal developments.
Conference & Event Appearances
Outreach events where OCEMA representatives presented on chassis provisioning transitions and intermodal developments
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| TSA Shipper Meeting | San Francisco, CA | Jan 6, 2011 |
| Philadelphia World Trade Association | Philadelphia, PA | Feb 16, 2011 |
| Savannah Traffic Club | Savannah, GA | Feb 17, 2011 |
| Trans Pacific Maritime Conference | Long Beach, CA | Mar 8, 2011 |
| Intermodal Association of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Virginia Trade Symposium | Norfolk, VA | May 5, 2011 |
Contact OCEMA
Have questions about our work, membership, or intermodal standards? Our administrative team is ready to assist.
Send a Console Message
2001 M Street, N.W.
Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20036
We aim to respond to all inquiries within 2 business days
OCEMA's Basic Agreement is filed with and authorized by the Federal Maritime Commission under the U.S. Shipping Act.