Freight Pulse & Law Update: Record Port Congestion, Panama Canal Cuts, and Stricter Jones Act Rules

Freight planners face a three-front squeeze: Asian port congestion, reduced Panama Canal capacity, and continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. Capacity is tightening while compliance requirements are becoming more exacting.

How severe is global port congestion?

Global congestion has reached a four-year high. The Loadstar, citing Linerlytica, reports nearly 3.7 million TEUs tied up: about 11% of the container fleet: with North Asia driving the surge after repeated typhoon disruptions.

Some market reports cite 4.3 million TEUs, but that figure is not corroborated in the accessible Loadstar/Linerlytica data. The verified benchmark still represents a major supply chain shock, with berth delays, equipment shortages, and schedule recovery extending well beyond the storm events.

What is changing at the Panama Canal?

The Panama Canal Authority is reducing daily transits to 34 vessels on September 3 and 32 vessels on September 15 as drought continues to lower water reserves. Reports from The Guardian and gCaptain warn that fewer slots could push carriers toward longer routes, higher fuel consumption, and additional surcharges.

Why does Hormuz still matter to freight?

Iran and Oman are promoting a shipping corridor, but traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below normal. Reuters reported fewer than 20 commodity vessels transiting over one weekend. Diesel costs, war-risk premiums, and constrained tanker capacity could keep freight rates elevated for the next 12–24 months, with pressure extending into 2027.

What changed under the Jones Act waiver?

The waiver now runs through November 15, 2026, but eligible HTS codes have fallen from 671 to 237. Foreign-flag moves require a pre-voyage Vessel Availability Request to the Department of War, MARAD, and CBP, a 24-hour market survey, and a national-defense justification. Review the Holland & Knight analysis.

Also complete DOT-linked CVSA Brake Safety Week inspections before dispatch.

Book capacity early, budget for elevated rates into 2027, and review Jones Act workflows with Lanta Logistics: supporting third party logistics providers and supply chain management companies with 3PL fulfillment services, inventory management for ecommerce, FlowOps logistics software, and real-time visibility from a food-grade warehouse and Hazmat certified 3PL in 3PL Maryland and Mid-Atlantic fulfillment.