Freight Pulse & Law Update - 20:00

Brake Safety Week, new IMO requirements, and continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz are creating immediate compliance and planning priorities for carriers, shippers, and third party logistics providers. Prepare equipment records, ocean procedures, and dangerous goods documentation before the next shipment moves.

What should carriers do before Brake Safety Week?

CVSA Brake Safety Week runs August 23–29, 2026, with FMCSA and DOT support across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Inspectors will focus on brake drums and rotors, including air-disc brake rotors. Brake-related out-of-service violations can remove vehicles from the road until repairs are completed.

Complete these steps before August 23:

• Perform documented pre-trip inspections on drums, rotors, linings, and related components.

• Record cracks, deep grooves, thermal damage, severe corrosion, and improper repairs.

• Retain driver vehicle inspection reports and repair documentation.

• Confirm repairs meet manufacturer specifications.

Review the official CVSA Brake Safety Week guidance.

Which IMO rules are already in force?

The 2026 IMO amendments affect ocean safety, environmental compliance, and dangerous goods:

• Report lost or drifting containers without delay under SOLAS V/31–32 and MARPOL Protocol I.

• Remove PFOS-containing firefighting foam according to applicable survey deadlines.

• Equip qualifying new containerships and bulk carriers with electronic inclinometers.

• Audit packaged dangerous goods against mandatory IMDG Code Amendment 42-24.

Verify that ocean partners can identify cargo, position, time, container count, and dangerous goods details in a lost-container report. Update escalation contacts and document-control procedures.

How should shippers manage Hormuz disruption?

Tanker transits through Hormuz remain sharply below normal after attacks. Reuters reports that COSCO and China Merchants Energy Shipping are rerouting away from Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, increasing voyage uncertainty, congestion, insurance exposure, and inventory risk.

Use a warehouse management system, logistics software, and real-time exception alerts to protect inventory and customer commitments. FlowOps by Lanta supports visibility across transportation and fulfillment operations.

Lanta Logistics combines 3PL fulfillment services, a food-grade warehouse, Hazmat certified 3PL capabilities, and Mid-Atlantic fulfillment from its Glen Burnie warehouse. Contact Lanta Logistics to strengthen supply chain management before disruptions become service failures.