Federal Register #USCG-2026-0049

Coast Guard Proposes 2027 Great Lakes Pilotage Rate and Service Updates

The U.S. Coast Guard, under the Department of Homeland Security, is proposing new pilotage rates and methodology updates for the 2027 Great Lakes shipping season. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Waterways and Ocean Policy - Great Lakes Pilotage Division - OEMs and Vendors: - No commercial OEMs; pilotage services are provided by three pilot associations: - Saint Lawrence Seaway Pilots Association (SLSPA) - Lakes Pilots Association (LPA) - Western Great Lakes Pilots Association (WGLPA) - Services Requested: - Pilotage services for oceangoing vessels in the Great Lakes, including the newly designated Straits of Mackinac - District One: St. Lawrence River and Lake America (SLSPA) - District Two: Lake Erie, Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River (LPA) - District Three: St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie Locks, Lakes Huron, Michigan, Superior, Straits of Mackinac (WGLPA) - Increase in pilot numbers from 57 to 61 and apprentice pilots from 7 to 8 - Target pilot compensation set at $496,674 per pilot - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Addition of the Straits of Mackinac to the annual pilotage rate schedule - Application of the same pilotage rate for the Straits of Mackinac as for adjacent waters - Annual adjustments for inflation and operating costs - Ratemaking methodology uses a 10-year average of pilotage demand - Estimated 10% increase in operating costs compared to previous season - Impacts approximately 247 oceangoing vessels annually - Full ratemaking conducted at least every five years, with annual interim adjustments

Description

The Coast Guard is proposing pilotage rates for the 2027 shipping season in accordance with the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960. This includes a full ratemaking process with a request for comments on the ratemaking methodology and one proposed update. The proposal also includes the pilotage rate for the Straits of Mackinac, newly designated for pilotage requirements by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The Coast Guard estimates that the proposed rule would increase operating costs by approximately 10 percent compared to the 2026 season.

View original listing