---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 41307"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "41307"
heading: "Injunctive relief sought by the Commission"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/41307"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Regulation of Ocean Shipping"
  - "Part A — Ocean Shipping"
  - "Chapter 413 — Enforcement"
---

# §41307. Injunctive relief sought by the Commission

- (a) **General Violations.—** In connection with an investigation under section [41301](/usc/46/41301.md) or [41302](/usc/46/41302.md) of this title, the Federal Maritime [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) may bring a civil action to enjoin conduct in violation of this part. The action must be brought in the district court of the United States for any judicial district in which the defendant resides or transacts business. After notice to the defendant, and a showing that the standards for granting injunctive relief by courts of equity are met, the court may grant a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction for a period not to exceed 10 days after the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) has issued an order disposing of the issues under investigation.
- (b) **Reduction in Competition.—**
  - (1) **Action by commission.—** If, at any time after the filing or effective date of an [agreement](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1) under [chapter 403](/usc/46/chstIV/ptA/ch403.md) of this title, the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) determines that the [agreement](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1) is likely, by a reduction in competition, to produce an unreasonable reduction in transportation service or an unreasonable increase in transportation cost or to substantially lessen competition in the purchasing of [certain covered services](/usc/46/40102.md?p=5), the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1), after notice to the person filing the [agreement](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1), may bring a civil action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to enjoin the operation of the [agreement](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1). The [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1)’s sole remedy with respect to an [agreement](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1) likely to have such an effect is an action under this subsection.
  - (2) **Remedies by court.—** In an action under this subsection, the court may issue—
    - (A) a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction; and
    - (B) a permanent injunction after a showing that the [agreement](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1) is likely to have the effect described in [paragraph (1)](#b-1).
  - (3) **Burden of proof and third parties.—** In an action under this subsection, the burden of proof is on the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1). The court may not allow a third party to intervene.
  - (4) **Competition factors.—** In making a determination under this subsection regarding whether an [agreement](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1) is likely to substantially lessen competition in the purchasing of [certain covered services](/usc/46/40102.md?p=5), the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) may consider any relevant competition factors in affected markets, including, without limitation, the competitive effect of [agreements](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1) other than the [agreement](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1) under review.
- (c) **Failure To Provide Information.—** If a person filing an [agreement](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1), or an officer, director, partner, agent, or employee of the person, fails substantially to comply with a request for the submission of additional information or documents within the period provided in [section 40304(c) of this title](/usc/46/40304.md?p=c), the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) may bring a civil action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. At the request of the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1), the Court—
  - (1) may order compliance;
  - (2) shall extend the period specified in [section 40304(c)(2) of this title](/usc/46/40304.md?p=c-2) until there has been substantial compliance; and
  - (3) may grant other equitable relief that the court decides is appropriate.
- (d) **Representation.—** The [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) may represent itself in a proceeding under this section in—
  - (1) a district court of the United States, on notice to the Attorney General; and
  - (2) a court of appeals of the United States, with the approval of the Attorney General.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 7, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1547; Pub. L. 115–282, title VII, § 710(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4297.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 41307(a) | 46 App.:1710(h)(1). | Pub. L. 98–237, § 11(c) (last sentence), (h)(1), Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 80, 81. |
| 41307(b)(1) | 46 App.:1705(g), (h) (1st sentence). | Pub. L. 98–237, § 6(g)–(i), (k), Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 72, 73. |
|  | 46 App.:1710(c) (last sentence). |  |
| 41307(b)(2) | 46 App.:1705(h) (2d sentence). |  |
| 41307(b)(3) | 46 App.:1705(h) (3d, last sentences). |  |
| 41307(c) | 46 App.:1705(i). |  |
| 41307(d) | 46 App.:1705(k). |  |

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–282, § 710(a)(1), inserted “or to substantially lessen competition in the purchasing of certain covered services” after “transportation cost”.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 115–282, § 710(a)(2), added par. (4).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–282, title VII, § 710(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4297, provided that: “Section 41307(b) of title 46, United States Code, as amended, shall apply to any agreement filed or with an effective date before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2018].”