September 06, 2026 to September 12, 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.

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📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Business Meeting: On September 16, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will meet to consider a range of bills, including S.3929 (air traffic control tower position reference tools), S.5224 (airport driver training task force), H.R.7022 (emergency satellite alerts), and several measures related to Great Lakes, aquaculture, and Coast Guard promotions.
• House Rules Committee Meeting on EPA Engine Standards and Maritime Rule Disapprovals: On September 14, the House Rules Committee will meet to discuss H.J. Res. 210 and H.J. Res. 213, resolutions for congressional disapproval of EPA decisions on California engine pollution standards for ocean-going vessels and commercial harbor craft, as well as pending bills on fraud enforcement and sanctions.
• Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Business Meeting: Clean Air and Cold Weather Engine Restrictions: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is scheduled to meet September 16 to address S.3135, authorizing manufacturers to suspend engine derate or shutdown functions during prolonged cold weather, among other air quality and atomic energy measures.

Federal Government News

PHMSA Preempts State Tort Claims on Hazardous Materials Transport

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a determination concluding that the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) and Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) preempt state common law tort claims regarding the marking, employee training, loading and unloading, and classification of gasoline transported by cargo tank motor vehicle. The final ruling, addressing claims originating from New Jersey litigation against Exxon Mobil and supported by industry and state government submissions, finds that such state-level duties are not 'substantively the same' as HMR requirements and would create obstacles to compliance. The decision references alignment with recent Supreme Court precedent and prior administrative determinations, and reaffirms that the federal regulatory framework is exclusive in these covered subjects. Aggrieved parties have 20 days to file for reconsideration and 60 days to seek judicial review as outlined in the determination.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Issues Proclamations Targeting Canadian Imports for Trade Discrimination

On September 8, President Trump issued multiple proclamations modifying and expanding retaliatory trade actions against Canada due to continued discrimination against U.S. commerce, specifically in the motor vehicle and dairy sectors. One proclamation modifies the scope of Canadian products subject to 50% ad valorem duties, effective September 15. Separate actions exclude listed Canadian products from U.S. importation beginning September 29 under the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Trade Act of 1974. The proclamations authorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection to implement and administer new tariff and import restrictions, and provide for further regulatory changes as necessary.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

FMCSA Proposes Renewal of Accident Recordkeeping Requirements for Motor Carriers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced plans to renew its 'Accident Recordkeeping Requirements' information collection, seeking public comment by November 9. The proposed renewal adjusts annual respondents to 115,547 and total annual burden hours to 51,661, reflecting updated crash data. Motor carriers are required to maintain accident registers for three years, including detailed records of each qualifying crash, though not required to submit these to FMCSA unless requested in an investigation. The agency reports an increase in the estimated annual recordkeeping cost to $1,534,344, primarily reflecting labor hours and adjusted paper storage assumptions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Federal Railroad Administration Receives Waiver Petitions Affecting Bridge and Locomotive Compliance

The Federal Railroad Administration published notice of two petitions affecting rail operations. Delmarva Central Railroad Company has sought temporary relief from requirements governing movable bridge signal and locking systems after fire damage to the Cassatt Swing Bridge's signal hut, allowing slow-speed operations and manual verification until repairs are completed in spring 2027. Separately, Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad (HLLR) has petitioned for modification of an existing waiver related to safety glazing and appliance standards on a steam locomotive used for passenger service. Both petitions are open for public comment until November 9.

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

Maritime Administration Requests Comments on Voluntary Tanker Agreement Information Collection

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is inviting comments by November 9 on its request to renew approval for data collection related to participation in the Voluntary Tanker Agreement. The collection is used to assess and plan for the allocation of U.S.-flag product tankers to meet defense or emergency fuel transportation needs. Minor updates to the application form are planned for clarity. Participation data is treated as classified national security information and used in coordination with U.S. Transportation Command.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Tesla eyes European freight market with long-delayed Semi truck: Tesla is considering entry into the European freight sector with its long-postponed Semi electric truck.
• Cargo shipping costs rise as Rhine water levels drop again: Rhine River shipping costs increased as low water levels restricted cargo vessel movements.
• Chinese Ship Takes Arctic Shortcut: Smart Business? Or a Political Flex?: A Chinese cargo vessel transited the Arctic Northern Sea Route, drawing attention to shifting global trade patterns.
• Busiest US seaport set new three-month volume record after early holiday import rush to avoid new tariffs, higher fuel costs: The top U.S. seaport recorded a quarterly cargo volume record, attributed to importers advancing shipments before new tariffs and higher fuel charges.
• U.S. Imports Carry On Through Extended Peak Season: U.S. importers continue to move shipments through an extended seasonal peak due to early holiday demand.
• India's Modi stresses need to protect navigation, seafarers in talks with Iran's Pezeshkian: India's Prime Minister Modi discussed maritime navigation and seafarer safety with Iran's president Pezeshkian.
• Shipping traffic via Strait of Hormuz stays below 10-day average, data shows: Maritime cargo movements through the Strait of Hormuz remained below average, according to shipping data.
• From the Lockerbie bombing to 9/11: How attacks on flights defined US air travel: Retrospective on air travel security challenges and responses since Lockerbie and 9/11.
• The Panama Canal’s New Boss Inherits a Drought and a Bidding War for Transit Slots: Water shortages and surging demand for passage are shaping the new Panama Canal leadership’s priorities.

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