Transportation Department, Maritime Administration
This document proposes procedures for the processing of applications for the licensing of deepwater ports. The proposed rule reflects the transfer of deepwater port license application processing management under the Deepwater Port Act from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to MARAD. Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (2026 NDAA), MARAD is the Federal lead agency for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for all deepwater port license applications. USCG responsibility for authorities pertaining to design, construction, equipment, operation of deepwater ports, and navigational safety are not affected by the 2026 NDAA statutory changes, or this proposed rule and will continue to be administered by USCG.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration 46 CFR Part 248 [Docket Number MARAD-2026-0728] RIN 2133-AC01 AGENCY: Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments. SUMMARY: This document proposes procedures for the processing of applications for the licensing of deepwater ports. The proposed rule reflects the transfer of deepwater port license application processing management under the Deepwater Port Act from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to MARAD. Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (2026 NDAA), MARAD is the Federal lead agency for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for all deepwater port license applications. USCG responsibility for authorities pertaining to design, construction, equipment, operation of deepwater ports, and navigational safety are not affected by the 2026 NDAA statutory changes, or this proposed rule and will continue to be administered by USCG. DATES: Comments should be filed on or before January 4, 2027. Late comments will be considered to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket Number MARAD-2026-0728 by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov . Search for the above DOT Docket Number and follow the instructions for submitting comments. Mail/Hand-Delivery/Courier: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Dep…
Citation: 91 FR 69768
