August 02, 2026 to August 08, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning the trucking, rail, and shipping industries, ports, storage centers, cargo and container terminals, international and inter-provincial logistics, fulfillment centres, courier and delivery services. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Freight & Transport? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Oil & Gas and Defence. Also consider subscribing to our Freight & Transport - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

PHMSA Issues Multiple Final Rules Reducing Regulatory Burden for Hazardous Materials Transportation

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published a series of deregulatory final rules taking effect September 3, 2026. Carriers transporting hazardous materials by highway, rail, or vessel can now use reduced-size limited quantity markings and present registration documents electronically. Carriers and facility operators may maintain emergency response information in electronic rather than hard-copy format. Final rules facilitate continued use of special permit packagings, allow packagings manufactured under expired special permits to be used for their useful life, and permit transport of empty intermediate bulk containers with residue under simplified requirements. Other rules modify the transportation of refrigerating machines with low flammability refrigerants, allow modernized materials of trade exceptions for lithium batteries, and revise the definition of aerosols to match international standards. Multiple obsolete rail requirements and reporting obligations were removed. These rules are expected to reduce paperwork, lower compliance costs, and provide operational flexibility for freight and logistics operators, with PHMSA estimating annualized cost savings from select individual provisions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, SOURCE NOT FOUND

Department of Transportation Renews Procedures and Evidence Rules for Air Carrier Authority Applications

The Department of Transportation submitted its request to renew information collection requirements used to evaluate fitness for air carrier authority, affecting individuals and companies seeking initial or continuing authority to engage in air transportation of persons, property, or mail. The abstract pertains to disclosures regarding ownership, citizenship, managerial competence, and compliance history as set forth in 14 CFR parts 201 and 204. The notice sets a comment deadline of September 8, 2026, and estimates 7,635 hours of annual burden across 38 respondents with 114 responses.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Coast Guard Marks 236th Anniversary, Receives $25 Billion in Fleet Modernization

The White House released a message on August 5 recognizing the Coast Guard’s 236th birthday, noting the agency’s expanded role in security, trafficking interdiction, and lifesaving operations. The Administration cited $25 billion in investment through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, supporting delivery of new cutters, helicopters, and icebreakers. Coast Guard recruitment has reached its highest level in a generation, and a $2,000 Devotion to Duty payment was issued to Coast Guardsmen. The President pledged ongoing support for operational readiness.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Presidential Nominations to Senate Include Transportation and Regulatory Posts

On August 7, the White House transmitted nominations for several posts key to transportation and logistics oversight, including Leslie Becera for Assistant Secretary of Transportation and Danielle Thumann Severs to the Federal Communications Commission. Julia Nesheiwat was nominated to a new role as Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic, and additional nominees were submitted for diplomatic and regulatory board posts.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Runway SAFE-T Act (S.5224)

The Runway SAFE-T Act was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The bill addresses matters pertaining to runway safety at airports.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Cleaner Transportation Access for All Act (S.5215)

This legislation was read twice and referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The bill focuses on promoting cleaner transportation access.

Sources: www.congress.gov

DRIVE Across America Act of 2026 (S.5222)

The DRIVE Across America Act was sent to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The bill proposes measures related to cross-country vehicular travel and infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act (S.4965)

This measure was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders (Calendar No. 540), covering provisions for the Railroad Retirement Board affecting the transportation workforce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to designate the John Madden Memorial Post Office (S.5241)

The bill seeks to designate the United States Postal Service facility in Austin, Minnesota as the "John Madden Memorial Post Office." It was read twice and referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• US Postal Service reports $2.5 billion quarterly loss: USPS posted a $2.5 billion loss in the quarter, noting pressure from declining mail volumes and rising costs.
• Peak Shipping Season Persists, Port of L.A. Leader Says: Freight activity at the Port of Los Angeles continued at peak season pace, signaling sustained import demand.
• FAA proposes giving airlines flexibility on flight emergency medical kits: The FAA proposed changes allowing airlines greater discretion in stocking emergency medical kits onboard.
• Heat, Fire and Airport Chaos: My Summer Vacation Nightmare: Weather disruptions and severe conditions complicated air travel for many Midwest travelers.
• Aerospace Industry - Latest News and Updates: The aerospace sector saw multiple developments in safety, supply chain, and regulatory activity.
• CPC oil loadings falter over safety issues and tanker shortages: Tanker shortages and safety issues slowed oil loadings at CPC, disrupting global shipping schedules.
• Opinion | Farewell to the people movers. Invest in air travel safety next.: The discussion centers on future investments in air travel safety infrastructure.
• NEWSLETTER: High seas drama: Hormuz and Black Sea roil global trade: Maritime incidents in the Hormuz and Black Sea regions affected shipping routes and global commerce.

.