Coast Guard Slashes Great Lakes Pilot Fees: Ships Sail Cheaper in 2026
Published Date: 9/5/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Coast Guard is planning to lower Great Lakes pilotage rates by about 7% for the 2026 shipping season, making it cheaper for ships to get expert help navigating these waters. They’re also tweaking how they calculate these rates by removing one step to keep things fair and simple. This affects shipping companies and anyone relying on Great Lakes trade, with changes kicking in next year and open for public feedback now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Pilotage Rates Cut ~7% for 2026
The Coast Guard proposes to lower Great Lakes pilotage rates by about 7% for the 2026 shipping season, an approximately 7-percent decrease in operating costs compared to the 2025 season. This makes it cheaper for ships to hire pilots and may affect shipping companies and anyone relying on Great Lakes trade.
Methodology Change: Remove Step 5
As part of the 2026 full ratemaking, the Coast Guard proposes removing Step 5 of the ratemaking methodology, which concerns the working capital fund, describing the change as intended to keep the methodology fair and simple. The change is part of the ratemaking process that will apply to the 2026 shipping season.
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