Pilotage Rates News

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has published a Proposed Rule in the Federal Register outlining U.S. Great Lakes pilotage rates for the 2024 shipping season.The new rates seek to generate revenue for each of the three U.S. Great Lakes pilot associations by implementing hourly charges for pilotage services according to geographic area. Pilotage rates are paid by vessel operators serving Great Lakes ports.The Coast Guard proposes to increase the overall cost of U.S. Great Lakes pilotage in 2024 compared to 2023 by $1.9 million or 5%.

Regulatory reform is one of President Trump’s priority agenda items. Upon taking office, the President issued a number of Executive Orders focusing attention and demanding action on the myriad of regulations impacting American businesses.Last May, the reform spotlight fell on maritime regulations when the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), published a Request for Information (RFI) on how the government should “prudently manage regulatory costs imposed on the maritime sector.” OMB…

In an unexpected reversal, it has been reported that the Houston Pilots yesterday notified Chairman Janiece Longoria of the Port of Houston Authority that they had withdrawn their latest application for a change in pilotage rates. Beyond this, the pilots requested in their letter dated October 18 that the application be removed from the agenda for the upcoming October 30 Board of Commissioners meeting.Upon being notified of the rate change application in September, no less than 15 shipping companies…

A coalition of U.S. Great Lakes ports, vessel operating companies and maritime trade associations today filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2016 increase in Great Lakes pilotage rates, the American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA) announced. The complaint was filed by a coalition including the AGLPA, along with the Shipping Federation of Canada and the U.S. Great Lakes Shipping Association, as well as vessel operating companies Fednav International Ltd…

Following the recent meeting of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority, the following news items  of note were released. The Port Commission approved a $68 million construction contract with Orion Construction L.P. for Bayport and Barbours Cut channel improvements. These significant dredging projects will begin, following issuance of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits and approval of its assumption of maintenance of the channels, Executive Director Roger Guenther reported.

The port commissioners, sitting as the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports, are considering a proposed 3.5% increase in pilotage rates for the Houston Pilots. Interested parties will make oral presentations at a public hearing on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 9 am. The public hearing will be held on the 4th Floor of the Port of Houston Authority Building, 111 East Loop North, Houston, Texas  77029. houstonpilotboard.com

The US Coast Guard proposes to increase the rates for pilotage on the Great Lakes by an average of approximately 4% to generate sufficient revenue to cover allowable expenses, target pilot compensation, and return on investment. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by September 20. 75 Fed. Reg. 51191 (August 19, 2010). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a final rule establishing the rates for pilotage services on the Great Lakes. With effect from August 1, the rates will increase by an average of 5.07%. 75 Fed. Reg. 7958 (February 23, 2010). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

The U.S. Coast Guard proposes to increase the rates for Great Lakes Pilotage by 5.07% to generate sufficient revenue to cover allowable expenses, target pilot compensation, and return on investment. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by November 30. 74 Fed. Reg. 56153 (October 30, 2009). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

The U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Directorate announced publication in the Federal Register of the final rule amending the Great Lakes Pilotage Rates for 2009. Pilotage rates on the Great Lakes will increase by 10.77 percent when the final rule takes effect Aug. 1.  The increase is an effort to align compensation levels between Great Lakes pilots and industry. The rate amendment was made in accordance with regulations relating to the annual review of pilotage rates. This rule reflects an increase in the American Maritime Officer Union's benchmark contractual wages and benefits. The Coast Guard also published a notice requesting public comment on the Coast Guard's Great Lakes Pilotage Ratemaking Methodology…

The U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Directorate announced that the Federal Register has published a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the Great Lakes pilotage rates for 2009. The proposed new rule is effective August 1, 2009, and would increase the pilotage rates on the Great Lakes by 9.41 percent in an effort to generate sufficient revenue to cover allowable expenses, target pilot compensation and returns on investment. This proposed rule would reflect an increase in benchmark contractual wages and benefits, as well as an increase in the ratio of pilots to bridge hours.   The notice of proposed rulemaking, related materials and information on submitting comments can be found at http://www.regulations.gov, docket number: USCG-2008-1126.

The US Coast Guard issued a final rule adjusting the rates for pilotage services on the Great Lakes. Effective February 4, 2009, the rates will be increased by a total average of 18.92% over those prevailing in 2007.  74 Fed. Reg. 220  (January 5, 2009). (Source: Holland & Knight)

Legislation to amend and improve laws relating to the U.S. Coast Guard and maritime transportation will be the subject of a Congressional hearing on Thursday. The legislation, the Coast Guard Amendments of 2005, has not yet been introduced in the U.S. House. The hearing by the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 12th in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. Mr. Calvin M. Lederer, Deputy Judge Advocate General of the United States Coast Guard, will testify at Thursday’s hearing. Section 101 redefines “navigable waters of the United States” to include territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles from shore…