Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning trucking, rail, and shipping, ports, cargo terminals, international and interprovincial logistics. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Freight & Ports? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Aviation and Oil & Gas.

Dates: 2025-08-17 to 2025-08-23

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Construction of the Polar Max Icebreaker Begins under National Shipbuilding Strategy

On August 20, the Government of Canada marked the formal start of construction of the Polar Max, one of two new polar icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement), joined other dignitaries at Helsinki Shipyard. Hull construction will take place in Finland, followed by transfer to Lévis, Quebec, for final assembly by Chantier Davie Canada Inc. The project offers Canadian workers opportunities to gain hands-on experience with Finnish shipbuilding techniques. The Polar Max is expected to be delivered by 2030 and will offer greater endurance and advanced capabilities than any current icebreaker in the fleet, enabling longer deployments in Arctic waters to support emergency response, science research, and delivery of goods to northern communities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government Officials Highlight Strategic Industrial Partnerships with Sweden and Finland

From August 18 to 22, Minister Mélanie Joly and Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr traveled to Stockholm and Helsinki to further Canada’s industrial and economic interests in sectors including aerospace, defence, shipbuilding, biomanufacturing, and mining. The meetings included dialogue on strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing major investments in Canadian defence industry, supporting job creation and capabilities across multiple sectors.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Remarks by Secretary Fuhr at Arctic Fleet Steel Cutting Ceremony in Helsinki

Secretary Stephen Fuhr spoke at the steel cutting ceremony for the Polar Max icebreaker in Finland, referencing the strategic partnership between Canadian and Finnish shipyards. Fuhr confirmed the vessel will be constructed for year-round Arctic operations, and highlighted active knowledge transfer. Canadian workers are stationed in Helsinki to train with Finnish experts, preparing for the subsequent phases of fleet renewal in Quebec. The ICE Pact partnership aims to accelerate vessel delivery and strengthen Canada’s Arctic presence through international collaboration.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Royal Canadian Navy Accepts Sixth Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel

The Royal Canadian Navy accepted delivery of the sixth and final Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, on August 21 in Halifax. The vessel completes a fleet that has operated since 2021 with deployments on Operations CARIBBE, HORIZON, and NANOOK, and has circumnavigated North America. These patrol ships are ice-capable and designed to uphold Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic region. Post-delivery sea trials and commissioning will occur prior to the ship’s arrival in its home port of Esquimalt, British Columbia in 2026.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CBSA Initiates Dumping Investigation on Oil Country Tubular Goods

On August 11, the Canada Border Services Agency initiated an investigation under the Special Import Measures Act into alleged injurious dumping of oil country tubular goods from Mexico, the Philippines, Türkiye (Borusan Mannesmann), South Korea (Hyundai Steel), and the U.S. (Tenaris S.A.). The Statement of Reasons is to be issued within 15 days. The investigation targets tubular steel products for the oil and gas industry, with the applicable tariff classifications listed on the CBSA website.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Opens Preliminary Injury Inquiry into Tubular Goods

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has announced a preliminary injury inquiry concerning dumping of oil country tubular goods as defined by recent CBSA action. The inquiry will review written submissions and determine if the alleged dumping has caused or is threatening to cause injury to Canadian producers. Interested parties must file notices of participation by August 25, 2025, with additional deadlines for public and confidential submissions through September.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Canada Gazette: CITT Schedules Hearing for Customs Classification Appeal

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will hold a hearing on September 25 regarding Canada Border Services Agency’s classification of three models of free-standing metal shelving units imported by Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. The dispute pertains to classification under tariff item 9403.20.00 versus 9403.10.00. Interested parties must register with the Tribunal for attendance.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Monthly Railway Cargo Volume Decreases Year-over-Year

Canadian railways moved 29.8 million tonnes of cargo in June 2025, a 3.1% decrease compared to June 2024, according to Statistics Canada. The data highlights a decline in rail freight activity on a year-over-year basis.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Statistics Canada Releases Petroleum Transportation and Inventory Data

Statistics Canada released June data on the transportation and storage of crude oil and liquid petroleum products on August 20, as well as July data on refined petroleum products inventories on August 21. Data sets are available for further analysis and industry benchmarking.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca, Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

CBSA Seizes Large Quantity of Firearms Linked to Freight Investigation

Canada Border Services Agency investigators, working with Sûreté du Québec, seized 180 long guns, a handgun, prohibited weapons, high-capacity magazines, and thousands of rounds of ammunition during a search in St-Anicet, Quebec. The case was connected to customs seizures at the Montreal Mail Centre of prohibited firearms parts delivered via parcel delivery channels. Analysis continues, and charges are anticipated following investigation.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Infrastructure Investment Targets Marine Drive Stormwater in White Rock

Federal, provincial, and municipal governments have committed over $9.86 million to upgrade stormwater infrastructure in White Rock, British Columbia. The project includes installation of new pipes, a pump station, and removal of aging infrastructure along Marine Drive to improve drainage, protect water quality in Semiahmoo Bay, and reduce flooding risks impacting local transport routes.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

U.S. Commerce Department Initiates CVD Investigation on Indian Rail Couplers

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced initiation of a countervailing duty investigation into imports of certain freight rail couplers and parts from India. The investigation, covering products produced between January and December 2024, follows allegations that Indian manufacturers benefit from government subsidies.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Department Opens Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations on Czech and Indian Rail Couplers

Concurrent with the above, the Department of Commerce began less-than-fair-value investigations into the pricing of freight rail couplers and parts from both the Czech Republic and India. Petitions filed by U.S. industry allege imports are sold below market value, leading to material injury. Estimated dumping margins reach up to 119.96% for the Czech Republic and 71.01% for India.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Federal Maritime Commission Accepts Terminal Operator Sustainability Cooperative Agreement

On August 19, the Federal Maritime Commission provided notice of a new agreement filing between International Transportation Service, LLC and SSA Terminals, LLC. The Terminal Operator Sustainability Cooperative Working Agreement permits discussion and implementation regarding the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan 2030 and related environmental requirements.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

USPS Files Priority Mail & Ground Advantage Negotiated Service Agreements

The U.S. Postal Service filed several requests with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add new domestic shipping contracts to the Mail Classification Schedule’s Competitive Products List. These filings, covering Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage Negotiated Service Agreements, were made from August 7 through August 15, 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Explosion on Cargo Ship Closes Baltimore Shipping Channel

A cargo ship explosion near the site of the 2024 bridge collapse has led to closure of the Baltimore shipping channel, disrupting maritime traffic and freight logistics within the region. Updates on the reopening timeline and recovery operations are pending from local authorities.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.ctvnews.ca

Canadian Provincial GR News

Nova Scotia Launches Passenger Rail Feasibility Study for Halifax Region

Nova Scotia issued a request for supplier qualification to carry out a study on passenger rail and light rail options for the Halifax Regional Municipality, with proposals due by September 16.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Year-Round Shipping from Port of Churchill Focus of New Agreement Between Arctic Gateway Group and Fednav Limited: Details of an agreement targeting continuous shipping operations in northern Manitoba.
• Arctic trade route expansion in northern Manitoba to be discussed following agreement: Churchill’s port agreement prompts evaluation of Arctic maritime trade opportunities.
• European postal services suspend shipment of packages to U.S. over tariffs: Several European postal operators halt U.S. shipments in response to heightened tariffs.
• Flight attendant strike sets new precedent for Canada Post labour talks: lawyer: A recent strike action is seen as influencing future Canada Post negotiations.
• What to know about visas for foreign truckers and the politics of a deadly Florida crash: Overview of policies around foreign driver visas following a major traffic incident.
• Explosion on cargo ship closes Baltimore shipping channel near site of 2024 bridge collapse: Maritime shipping disruptions reported after a cargo ship incident in Baltimore.

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