Great Lakes Pilotage Rates-2026 Annual Review and Revisions to Methodology

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard 46 CFR Parts 401, 403, and 404 [Docket No. USCG-2025-0252] RIN 1625-AD03 AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is issuing new base Great Lakes pilotage rates for the 2026 shipping season. The Coast Guard estimates that this final rule will result in an approximately 6-percent decrease in operating costs compared to the 2025 season, while facilitating commerce and supply chains. The Coast Guard is also making one change to the ratemaking methodology: the removal of Step 5 regarding the working capital fund. We conducted a full ratemaking for the 2026 ratemaking and considered comments on the Great Lakes pilotage ratemaking methodology. DATES: This final rule is effective March 19, 2026. ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov , type USCG-2025-0252 in the search box, and click “Search.” Next, in the Document Type column, select “Supporting & Related Material.” FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document call or email Mr. Brian Rogers, Commandant, Office of Waterways and Ocean Policy—Great Lakes Pilotage Division (CG-WWM-2), Coast Guard; telephone 571-608-8418 or email Brian.Rogers@uscg.mil . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents for Preamble I. Abbreviations II. Basis and Purpose, and Regulatory History III. Discussion of Methodo…