What are Hours of Service (HOS) regulations and why do carriers want flexibility?

HOS regulations limit how long drivers can operate before mandatory rest periods—typically a 14-hour driving window with a mandatory 10-hour rest. Carriers want flexibility during port congestion events because traditional HOS rules can prevent drivers from completing drayage moves efficiently when ports are backed up, exacerbating delays and yard congestion.

How does HOS flexibility affect port congestion specifically?

Port drayage requires drivers to move containers on and off trucks in short time windows. When ports are congested, appointment slots may shift unpredictably, and drivers may exhaust their HOS allowance waiting or driving short distances. Flexible HOS during congestion could allow more effective load positioning and container movement, reducing the dwell time that contributes to port gridlock.

What is the risk-benefit tradeoff for HOS flexibility?

Benefits include improved port throughput, reduced demurrage charges, and faster clearance of import/export cargo. Risks include potential driver fatigue, safety concerns, and questions about whether temporary relief addresses root causes of congestion (terminal staffing, equipment availability, berth constraints) versus just masking symptoms.

Is this a new issue or have carriers requested HOS relief before?

The article indicates carriers are actively looking for HOS flexibility now, suggesting this is a timely response to current port congestion conditions. HOS waivers have been granted in specific emergency situations (e.g., natural disasters), but ongoing or routine port congestion relief is a more novel policy discussion.

What should supply chain teams do in response?

Monitor regulatory developments and HOS policy changes, model drayage scenarios with and without flexibility, negotiate with carriers on appointment timing and fees, and prepare contingency plans that account for variable driver availability during peak congestion periods.

Labor & Workforce

Moderate

Carriers Seek HOS Waivers to Relieve Port Congestion Crisis

May 4, 2026

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The signal

Trucking carriers are actively seeking flexible Hours of Service (HOS) regulations to help alleviate persistent port congestion challenges. This development reflects the industry's recognition that existing labor regulations, while important for safety, may inadvertently exacerbate logistical bottlenecks when ports face capacity strain. Port drayage operations are particularly impacted, as drivers face time constraints that limit their ability to move containers efficiently during peak congestion periods.

This push for HOS flexibility represents a significant operational concern for supply chain professionals managing import/export flows. When ports back up, the traditional 14-hour driver workday and mandatory 10-hour rest periods can create cascading delays that ripple through entire networks. The carrier industry's advocacy suggests that selective, temporary HOS relief during congestion events could materially improve port productivity and reduce demurrage costs.

For supply chain teams, this debate underscores the need to monitor regulatory developments closely and understand how labor constraints directly impact infrastructure efficiency. The outcome of these discussions could reshape drayage planning, driver utilization strategies, and port appointment booking tactics in the near term.

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#port-congestion

#trucking-regulations

#carrier-operations

#drayage

#transportation-bottleneck

#supply-chain-relief

#logistics-efficiency

#last-mile-logistics

#regulatory-relief

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if HOS flexibility is granted during peak port congestion periods?

Simulate the impact of a temporary 2-3 hour extension to the standard 14-hour HOS window during declared port congestion events. Assume this applies to port drayage operations for 30-60 days during seasonal peaks. Measure changes in drayage cycle times, port dwell reduction, demurrage costs, and downstream container clearance times.

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Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if port congestion continues without HOS relief?

Model the baseline scenario where HOS flexibility is not granted. Assume ports remain at 80% utilization for the next 120 days. Calculate cumulative demurrage charges, extended dwell times, downstream delivery delays, and the need for alternative carrier capacity or temporary warehousing.

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Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if selective HOS waivers are granted only for certain ports or times?

Simulate a patchwork scenario where HOS flexibility is approved for only gateway ports (e.g., Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey) and only during specific hours (8 AM–6 PM). Measure network-wide impacts on routing, intermodal yard utilization, and whether shippers shift volume to less-congested alternatives.

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