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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Dates: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

EPA Proposes Amendments to Marine Tank Vessel Loading Operations NESHAP

The Environmental Protection Agency issued proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Marine Tank Vessel Loading Operations under the Clean Air Act. The rule introduces enhanced flare monitoring, periodic performance testing, and electronic reporting requirements for facilities handling marine tank vessel loading. The amendments would remove exemptions for startup, shutdown, and malfunction events, clarify compliance pathways, and update relevant cross-references. Estimated first-year industry compliance costs are $3.56 million, with annualized costs of $2.14 million. EPA projects reductions of 280 tons per year of hazardous air pollutants and 3,500 tons per year of volatile organic compounds. Public comments on the proposal are due by April 20, 2026, and a public hearing may be scheduled for March 18, 2026, if requested.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Issues Preliminary Countervailing Duty Determination on Indian Freight Rail Couplers

The Department of Commerce published a preliminary affirmative countervailing duty determination for certain freight rail couplers and parts thereof imported from India. The determination covers the investigation period April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 and aligns the final countervailing duty determination date with the companion antidumping investigation. Kharagpur Metal Reforming Industries Pvt Ltd and Texmaco Rail and Engineering received subsidy rates of 6.02% and 5.47%, respectively. Two respondents received facts available rates of 64.27%. All others rate was set at 5.90%. Commerce will instruct Customs and Border Protection to suspend liquidation and require cash deposits for imports. The final determination is scheduled for July 13, 2026 unless postponed.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USPS Files Requests for New Domestic Shipping Service Agreements

The United States Postal Service provided notice to the Postal Regulatory Commission regarding new requests to add Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreements to the Competitive Products List. Two proposed contracts were filed: PM-GA 939 (MC2026-165) and PM-GA-PS 9 (MC2026-166) between February 23 and February 27, 2026. These contracts enable tailored shipping rates for volume customers, subject to regulatory approval. Documents are available at prc.gov.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

US Maritime Administration Seeks Comments on Use of Foreign-Built Passenger Vessel in Coastwise Trade

The Maritime Administration solicits public comments on a request for determination regarding the use of the foreign-built small passenger vessel S/V Bellatrix in United States coastwise trade. Comments are invited by April 1, 2026 via regulations.gov on whether such use would adversely affect U.S. vessel builders or businesses employing U.S.-built vessels. The eligibility determination is mandated under 46 U.S.C. 12121(b); supporting information is available via the DOT Docket MARAD-2026-0301.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Sends USPS Governor Nominations to Senate

President Biden sent several nominations to the Senate on March 2, 2026, including Jeffrey Brodsky, William Gallo, and Robert Steffens for Governor positions at the United States Postal Service with terms expiring in 2029, 2030, and 2032. Additional nominations included diplomatic, judicial, and agency leadership roles. The USPS nominations will impact governance and policy direction pending Senate confirmation.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Opinion | Passing the Rotor Act Is Plane Common Sense: Editorial calls for passage of the Rotor Act to address aviation regulatory gaps.
• The Race to Seize on Lower Tariffs Has Businesses Rushing In Shipments: US businesses are accelerating shipments to capitalize on reduced tariffs.
• Perishables to plane parts stranded as Middle East conflict hits air cargo: Conflict in the Middle East is disrupting air cargo flows, leaving goods stranded.
• Trump orders oil tanker insurance support, says Navy could escort ships in Gulf: US government announces potential tanker insurance support and Navy escort option for Gulf oil shipments.

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