August 09, 2026 to August 15, 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

White House Proclamation Imposes New Duties on Unmanned Aircraft Systems

President Trump signed a proclamation imposing new ad valorem duties on imports of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and components, following a Section 232 investigation by the Secretary of Commerce, which determined reliance on foreign sources and cybersecurity risks posed threats to national security. UAS over 25 kilograms, UAS with thermal imagers, docking stations, and critical components will face a 100% duty; smaller UAS and some components will be subject to a 25% duty, with a delayed effective date to allow manufacturers time to establish domestic production. The proclamation establishes an incentive program for U.S.-based production and grants tariff reductions for imports from certain allied countries. These measures are intended to encourage onshore manufacturing and bolster U.S. production capacity for critical unmanned systems.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

White House Memorandum Outlines Strategy to Rebuild U.S. Navy and Maritime Industrial Base

A memorandum issued by the White House directs the Department of War to restore capacity and competition across the U.S. shipbuilding sector, citing issues such as complex ship designs, cost overruns, and limited industrial competition. Directives include replacing electromagnetic systems with steam and hydraulic systems on CVN-81, integrating a 'Finland Model' for supplier partnerships, allowing limited foreign shipyard contracts, and avoiding iterative design changes without high-level approval. Plans are required for a fifth public Navy shipyard, a Component Repair Center dedicated to submarine programs, and reforms to Naval Sea Systems Command to improve operational efficiencies and oversight. The guidance requires compliance with existing U.S. law and budget constraints.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

DHS Final Rule Implements Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act Provisions

The Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule implementing the Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2022, which expands nonimmigrant visa classifications to allow crew involved in ship-to-ship liquid cargo transfer operations (lightering) to enter or land temporarily in the U.S. for periods up to 180 days. The new C-4 and D-3 classifications replace the prior practice of granting parole for such crew. The rule clarifies immigration treatment of lightering activities and makes technical amendments to relevant DHS regulations. The changes, effective August 11, 2026, ensure that qualifying lightering crew can operate in U.S. waters under the revised immigration status.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FRA Seeks Comments on System Safety and Risk Reduction Programs

The Federal Railroad Administration published separate comment requests on information collection affecting passenger and freight rail safety. The first notice concerns the System Safety Program (SSP) and Fatigue Risk Management Program (FRMP) for passenger rail, reflecting an updated burden estimate as the number of affected operations declined from 33 to 32 and annual burden hours decreased to 1,781. The second notice updates burden estimates related to the Risk Reduction Program (RRP), now recalculated at 31,192 annual hours and a $2.8 million cost, incorporating changes in the participation of railroads and annual safety outreach. Both collections support FRA's mandate to monitor, audit, and ensure improvements in operational safety and risk mitigation.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

MARAD Releases Notice on Mariner Survey Information Collection

The Maritime Administration requested public comments on its intent to renew the Mariner Survey, which has transitioned from a pretest to a biennial survey of credentialed U.S. merchant mariners. The 2026 update reports a significant increase in expected respondents, from 690 to 5,162, and estimated burden hours rising to 1,721 as MARAD aims to better assess the availability and willingness of merchant mariners for national emergencies or surge operations. The collection supports statutory requirements under 46 U.S.C. 50102(a) and aims to provide a current understanding of workforce capacity in the maritime sector during periods of mobilization.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill on FMCSA CDL Waivers for Military Drivers Introduced

H.R. 10099 proposes to direct the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to issue regulations extending the commercial driver's license skills test waiver period for certain military personnel. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Hazardous Materials Transparency Act Referred to House Armed Services

H.R. 10108, titled Hazardous Materials Transparency Act, was submitted and referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. The bill addresses undisclosed provisions related to hazardous materials management.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Safety Starts at the Top Act of 2026 Introduced

The Safety Starts at the Top Act of 2026 (H.R. 10077) was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, aiming to address safety leadership within relevant transportation sectors.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Congressional Disapproval Resolution for Harbor Craft Pollution Controls

H.J.Res. 213 would use Congressional Review Act procedures to disapprove the EPA's rule on California's State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards for Commercial Harbor Craft. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

USMMA Athletics Act of 2026 Held at Desk

H.R. 3266, the USMMA Athletics Act of 2026, affecting the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's athletics programs, was introduced and is currently held at the desk.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• China’s Booming Auto Exports Test Shipping Industry: Global shipping faces surging demand as Chinese car exports continue to increase.
• 3 Reasons Extended Carrier Deployments Take Such a Heavy Toll at Sea: Long carrier deployments stretch both Navy resources and shipboard morale.
• China Is Opening the First Regular Cargo Route Through the Arctic: China's inaugural scheduled Arctic shipping service signals new East-West supply chain alternatives.
• Hormuz shipping traffic capped amid competing claims from US and Iran: Straits of Hormuz see regulated vessel movements amid regional political standoff.
• Hormuz shipping traffic falls to one-week low amid hostilities: Conflict in the Gulf leads to reduced shipping volume through a key transit corridor.
• Maersk raises outlook again as strong demand, freight rates lift profit: Maersk reports increased profit and upgrades its annual forecast due to strong shipping rates.
• Indian logistics firm Shiprocket's $170 million IPO fully subscribed: Shiprocket’s IPO is fully subscribed as retail and institutional demand meets targets.
• Smart tugs and trucks that don't sleep. Automation rewires US transport: U.S. logistics operations see increased investment in automated tugs and autonomous trucks.

.