Today’s Freight Pulse: Major Shipping Law Changes Explained in Under 3 Minutes

The freight landscape just shifted again as we enter the second half of 2026. Between the expiration of a critical Jones Act waiver and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) tightening the screws on "junk fees," shippers are facing a new regulatory reality that directly impacts the bottom line.

The 60-day national-defense Jones Act waiver (March 17–May 17, 2026) has officially concluded, but the auditing phase has just begun. Shippers who utilized foreign-flagged vessels for domestic moves must ensure their MARAD post-voyage filings are airtight. Failure to document precisely why coastwise-qualified tonnage was unavailable could lead to retrospective penalties. In this environment, "emergency" logistics still requires standard-operating-procedure discipline to avoid costly compliance traps.

Meanwhile, the FMC is no longer playing nice with detention and demurrage. Rulemaking Docket No. 22-04 is now fully operational, mandating that only the party with a direct contractual relationship can be billed for these charges. This is a massive win for 3PL Maryland operations and growing brands, as it effectively eliminates the surprise "junk fees" that have long bloated shipping budgets. If your current provider hasn't adjusted their billing transparency to match these OSRA 2022 standards, you are likely overpaying.

On the global front, the clock is ticking toward December 2026 for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). For any brand with an international footprint, traceability is no longer a luxury: it is a core logistical requirement. Shippers must begin vetting their supply chains today to avoid port-side refusals at the end of the year. Effective Mid-Atlantic fulfillment now requires more than just moving boxes; it requires managing the data trail behind every SKU.

Navigating these regulatory shifts requires a partner who treats compliance as a performance metric. Whether you need secure storage at our Glen Burnie warehouse or enterprise-level distribution services, Lanta Logistics provides the structured, performance-driven solutions needed to keep your supply chain moving without the regulatory friction.