Biography
Commissioner Carl Bentzel was nominated by President Trump on June 12, 2019, to a term expiring on June 30, 2024. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on November 21, 2019, and he was sworn into office on December 9, 2019.
Prior to his appointment at the Federal Maritime Commission, Commissioner Bentzel created and established a consulting services company where he represented clients on regulatory and legislative issues within the areas of transportation, energy and other areas of federal regulatory oversight. From 2004-2014, Commissioner Bentzel served as Vice President and head of the federal advocacy division of a full-scale public relations firm, the DCI Group.
Prior to working in the private sector, Mr. Bentzel served the public sector for ten years as a Senate professional committee staffer including, most recently, as Senior Democratic Counsel of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation. He moved to his role in the Senate after spending four years on the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries where he served as Counsel for Maritime Policy.
Commissioner Bentzel’s primary areas of responsibility on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation were issues on maritime transportation; rail, surface and pipeline transportation; energy transportation and hazardous materials; and homeland security in these areas. While working in the Senate, Commissioner Bentzel served as one of the principals in crafting the Maritime Security Act of 1996, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998, and in 2002, after the attacks on 9/11, the requirements mandated for maritime security through the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. He also dealt with matters impacting economic regulation of rail and surface industries before the Surface Transportation Board, and a variety of energy related regulatory issues.
For his efforts in developing and negotiating passage of Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, Commissioner Bentzel was awarded the Coast Guard’s Medal for Meritorious Public Service and the Maritime Security Council’s Man of the Year award. Mr. Bentzel is also the author of the chapter on Port Security within McGraw-Hill’s Handbook on Homeland Security.
Commissioner Bentzel earned his Bachelor of Arts from St. Lawrence University, his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama, and his Master of Laws from the Admiralty Law Institute, Tulane University.
Recent News
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Statement of Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel Summarizing His Participation in the VMA24 Program and Visits with ZIM and ONE Leadership
Earlier this month, I participated in the Virginia Maritime Association’s International Trade Symposium (VMA24). It was a great conference, and illustrative of the close partnership between the maritime sector and other transportation industries in the…
Categories: Carl W. Bentzel
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Statement of Carl W. Bentzel before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Cruz and members of the Committee, good morning and thank you for the opportunity to appear here before you today as a nominee to be Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission…
Categories: Carl W. Bentzel
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Statement of Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel and Max M. Vekich on the Gemini Cooperation Agreement
The Gemini Cooperation Agreement went into effect on September 9, 2024, by operation of law. The Gemini Agreement is a vessel sharing agreement between two of the largest ocean carriers, Maersk and Hapag Lloyd. During…
Upcoming Commissioner Appearances
Commissioner Bentzel has no upcoming appearances.
Past Commissioner Appearances
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Commissioner Bentzel Speaking at Houston International Maritime Conference
November 7, 2024 | Houston, Texas Commissioner Carl Bentzel will participate in a Waterside Chat as part of the Houston International Maritime Conference 2024 program. Schedule and registration information are available on the event website.
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Commissioner Bentzel Providing Update on FMC Activities
October 23, 2024 | Virtual Commissioner Carl Bentzel will participate in a webinar entitled “Port & FMC Updates on Demurrage, Detention, and Beyond” being held for members of the American Association of Exporters & Importers. …
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Commissioner Bentzel Speaking at VMA 24
October 9, 2024 | Norfolk, VA Commissioner Carl Bentzel will address attendees of the Virginia Maritime Association’s VMA 24 International Trade Symposium during an after Fireside Chat. The full agenda of VMA 24 and information…
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Commissioner Bentzel Speaking at NCBFAA Conference
September 23, 2024 | Washington, DC Commissioner Carl Bentzel will address attendees of the National Custom Brokers and Forwarders Association of America’s (NCBFAA) annual NCBFAA Government Affairs Conference. The event is open to members and…