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The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that, in accordance with the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960, it is proposing new base pilotage rates for the 2020 shipping season.

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would adjust the pilotage rates to account for changes in district operating expenses, an increase in the number of pilots, and anticipated inflation. The net result of decreased operating expenses for the associations compared to the previous year, inflation of pilot compensation, and the addition of one working pilot at the beginning of the 2020 shipping season is a 3 percent increase in pilotage rates. In addition, the Coast Guard is not proposing any surcharges for the 2020 shipping season, which would result in a 1 percent net decrease in pilotage costs compared to the 2019 season, when combined with the changes above. The Coast Guard is also proposing to clarify the rules related to the working capital fund.

Submit comments or related material by Nov. 29, 2019 through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, using docket number USCG-2019-0736.

For information about this document, call or email Mr. Brian Rogers, at 202-372-1535 or Brian.Rogers@uscg.mil.

For full details, view the Federal Register Notice.

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