Freight Pulse & Law Update: Hormuz Disruptions, Jones Act Waiver Rules, and Brake Safety Week Begins

The freight market is splitting under pressure from the Strait of Hormuz crisis, tighter Jones Act waiver controls, and new canal surcharges. At the same time, the Department of Transportation and FMCSA are increasing roadside scrutiny during CVSA Brake Safety Week, running August 23–29.

How is the Hormuz crisis changing container freight?

More major box carriers are pulling Gulf services or rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope. Schedule unreliability is absorbing approximately 1.7 million TEU of capacity, while trans-Pacific rates move higher:

• Asia–U.S. West Coast: up about 9% to approximately $7,422 per FEU

• Asia–U.S. East Coast: up about 3% to approximately $9,422 per FEU

• Asia–Europe: cooling as Gulf-linked disruption reshapes rotations

The latest market reporting shows that routing decisions now affect both cost and reliability. The Panama Canal is also trimming daily transit slots starting in September due to El Niño-driven drought conditions, with carriers adding surcharges.

What changed under the Jones Act waiver?

DHS extended the emergency waiver from August 17 through November 15, 2026, but the process is tighter. Covered cargo must be loaded before 11:59 p.m. ET on November 15, 2026. Before any foreign-flag voyage between U.S. ports, shippers must submit a Vessel Availability Request to the Department of War and MARAD. MARAD then surveys the market for coastwise-qualified U.S. vessels. Post-voyage reporting is due within 10 days. Review MARAD domestic-shipping guidance.

What does Brake Safety Week require?

CVSA inspectors are emphasizing brake drums and rotors. Vehicles with brake-related out-of-service violations remain restricted until repairs are complete under CVSA inspection guidance. Carriers should document pre-trip checks, DVIRs, repairs, and FMCSA compliance before dispatch.

How should shippers respond?

Use a warehouse management system and logistics software to monitor inventory, appointments, routing, and carrier exceptions. Lanta Logistics supports third party logistics providers, inventory management for ecommerce, 3PL fulfillment services, and supply chain management companies from a food-grade warehouse in Glen Burnie.

For resilient 3PL Maryland and Mid-Atlantic fulfillment, connect with Lanta Logistics and FlowOps real-time visibility: including support for a Hazmat certified 3PL operation.