USCGFinal Rule
Great Lakes Pilotage Rates—2026 Annual Review and Revisions to Methodology
TransportationFinance & Banking
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Summary
The U.S. Coast Guard is updating the fees that ship pilots charge to guide large vessels through the Great Lakes. This annual review adjusts pilotage rates and changes how those rates are calculated going forward, which affects shipping costs and ultimately the prices of goods transported by water.
Key Points
- 1The Coast Guard reviews and adjusts the fees that professional pilots charge to navigate ships through Great Lakes shipping channels each year
- 2This 2026 review includes changes to the methodology—the system used to calculate what pilots can charge for their services
- 3The new rates and calculation methods affect shipping companies and the cost of transporting goods like iron ore, coal, and other cargo through the Great Lakes
- 4Higher pilotage fees can increase transportation costs, which may be passed on to consumers through higher prices for products
- 5The regulation was published in February 2026 and establishes the official rates that must be used for Great Lakes ship pilotage services
Key Dates
Published
February 17, 2026
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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