US importers and exporters have been urging the Biden administration to relieve US port congestion, reports IHS Media.

The administration is readying a wide range of executive orders to strongly encourage maritime regulators to utilise their enforcement power on unreasonable shipping costs and anti-competitive behaviour.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki declared the executive orders are focused on saving American businesses money on shipping costs.

"For example, the index price to ship one container has gone up eightfold, and shipping container companies have charged companies massive fees while their goods sit at ports," said Ms Psaki.

Meanwhile, container lines argue that demand is unusually strong and that all available tonnage is deployed, causing rates to skyrocket.

The order comes as the industry enters its peak season. Container lines and consultants warn that container shipping, trucking, and rail capacity will only get tighter in the next three months.

"The executive order is a wake-up call. Everyone should be on notice that we have to take steps rapidly," said Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) commissioner Carl Bentzel.

"The executive order reflects the internal direction the agency is moving toward," said Mr Bentzel.