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Freight Pulse & Law Update - 19:00: Hormuz Pullback Reshapes Rates, Jones Act Waiver Adds New Hurdles

  • Writer: Lanta LLC
    Lanta LLC
  • 51 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

The Strait of Hormuz crisis is reshaping global routing, pricing, and compliance. MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO, HMM, and ONE have suspended or sharply restricted Middle East Gulf services, frozen bookings, terminated voyages, and applied elevated war-risk premiums.

What is happening to ocean rates?

Hormuz traffic is down roughly 70%, with approximately 150 tankers at anchor. Carriers are diverting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, adding time, fuel exposure, and schedule uncertainty.

Xeneta’s August 21 data shows a historic trans-Pacific spread:

  • Asia–U.S. East Coast: $10,527 per FEU

  • Asia–U.S. West Coast: $7,193 per FEU

  • East–West Coast gap: $3,334 per FEU

  • East Coast rates: nearly 300% above pre-crisis levels

Shippers should compare West Coast gateways with inland rail and truck options before accepting East Coast premiums. Include drayage, warehouse capacity, delivery timing, and inventory carrying costs: not ocean freight alone.

What changed under the Jones Act waiver?

The waiver remains available through November 15, 2026, but CBP guidance adds voyage-by-voyage hurdles:

  • Submit a Vessel Availability Request to MARAD before each foreign-flag voyage.

  • Complete a market survey prioritizing coastwise-qualified U.S.-flag vessels.

  • Limit covered commodities to 237 HTS codes.

  • Treat waiver voyage income as ineligible for standard international shipping tax exemptions under the reported IRS ruling.

How should transportation teams prepare?

CVSA Brake Safety Week runs August 23–29. DOT inspectors are focusing on brake drums and rotors while still checking complete brake systems.

Use a 3PL with disciplined execution, from third party logistics providers and supply chain management companies to 3PL fulfillment services. Lanta Logistics supports inventory management for ecommerce through a warehouse management system, logistics software, Mid-Atlantic fulfillment, a food-grade warehouse, and Hazmat certified 3PL operations at its Glen Burnie warehouse. FlowOps by Lanta adds real-time visibility.

Plan alternative gateways and compliance workflows with Lanta Logistics and FlowOps before disruption becomes a service failure.

 
 
 

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