Washington Waves: Waterway News From D.C.
The American Waterways Operators (AWO) warned that President Donald Trump’s 60-day waiver of the Jones Act puts at risk America’s supply chain reliability as well as its national security.
“The breadth of this waiver is especially concerning, as it will unnecessarily impact transportation markets where domestic vessel capacity is not lacking,” AWO stated. “Allowing foreign vessels to transport cargo on U.S. waterways will introduce the price volatility of today’s international market into our domestic commerce, creating instability in our thriving domestic supply chain and undermining American jobs while having no appreciable effect on the price of gasoline.”
At a time of heightened concern about terrorist threats on American soil, AWO added, the Jones Act also serves as a security bulwark against foreign‑flag vessels with foreign crews transporting critical cargo between America’s inland and coastal ports, and it ensures that American mariners remain the indispensable eyes and ears supporting the Coast Guard’s homeland security mission.
One day before the administration announced the waiver, AWO said it and allies were working with the administration and Congress to demonstrate the continued capability and availability of the domestic maritime industry in supporting military readiness, homeland security and economic strength.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the president’s decision on the century-old law in a post on X.
“This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for 60 days, and the administration remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains,” Leavitt said.
Mullin Nomination
After a contentious hearing, a Senate committee narrowly voted to advance the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to become the next Homeland Security secretary.
With an 8-7 vote, Mullin’s nomination now goes to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, opposed the nomination, citing Mullin’s comments following Paul’s assault by a neighbor several years ago.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) voted to advance the nomination.
Mullin’s nomination comes as the department he is to lead remains shut down with no obvious breakthrough to the weeks-long impasse over the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Enforcement (CBE) under the leadership of departing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Corps Seeking Comments
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is seeking input from all interested parties on ways to increase the efficiency of the nationwide permit program that authorizes activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.
The Corps said it will consider the input in future rulemaking related to the nationwide permits.
Comments must be received via www.regulations.gov or postmarked by May 15.
Identified by Docket No. COE-2026-0001, comments may be submitted via www.regulations.gov or by mail at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-CO-R, 441 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000. All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this notice.
For additional information, contact Katherine McCafferty at 513-310-4196 or access the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Home Page at www.usace.army.mil/Missions/ Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits.
FMC Monitoring Middle East
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) said it is closely monitoring the impact the current conflict in the Middle East is having on shipping conditions through the Strait of Hormuz.
Under its statutory authority, the FMC said it ensures that rates, charges and rules that common carriers have implemented as a result of the threats to commercial shipping in the strait and neighboring waters do not violate the Shipping Act.
Commission regulations at 46 CFR 520.8(a)(1&2) require common carriers to provide at least 30 days between the publication and effective date of a change to a tariff that results in an increased cost to shippers. 46 CFR 520.14(c) outlines a process through which a common carrier may submit a Special Permission (SP) request showing good cause to reduce this 30-day waiting period. The commission reviews and votes on all SP requests. If an SP is granted, the approval will show the effective date permitted for the charge. Per 46 CFR 520.7(c), a tariff rate, charge or rule must be in effect at the time the carrier or its agent receives cargo.
FMC maintains a list of all common carrier tariff locations for Vessel-Operating Common Carrier and Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier.
Shippers should file a complaint with the commission or contact the office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services if they are concerned that a carrier is acting in a manner that does not comply with 46 CFR Part 520.
EPA Comments
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting comments on its proposal to approve a modification to expand the boundaries of its two designated ocean dredged material disposal sites (ODMDSs) offshore of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Specifically, EPA identified the sites as the Corpus Christi Ship Channel (CCSC) ODMDS and the Corpus Christi New Work (CCNW) ODMDS to serve the long-term need for locations to dispose of suitable material dredged from the Corpus Christi Bay area.
The modified sites will be subject to monitoring and management to ensure continued protection of the marine environment, the agency said.
Comments must be received by April 13.
Identified by Docket No. EPA-R06-OW-2025-3359, comments may be submitted via www.regulations.gov.
For additional information, contact Wendy Jacques at 214-665-7395 or Jacques.Wendy@epa.gov.
GLS Rules
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) issued a rule amending regulations and rules in various categories under agreement with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation of Canada.
Effective March 17, the rule updates the following sections: Condition of Vessels, Seaway Navigation, Dangerous Cargo, Toll Assessment and Payment and Information and Reports.
Background documents and comments are available at www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Suite W58-213, Washington, DC 20590.
For additional information, contact Donna O’Berry at 202-366-6136.
Great Lakes Fees
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) is revising its regulations to reflect the fees and charges levied by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada starting in the 2026 navigation season, which are effective only in Canada.
This rule took effect March 17.
Background documents and comments can be read at www.Regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Suite W58-213, Washington, DC 20590.
For additional information, contact Donna O’Berry at 202-366-6136.
