Maritime Administration August 26, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces that the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC) will meet on September 11, 2014. In January 2014, MARAD held a three-day National Maritime Strategy Symposium to discuss issues facing U.S.-flag vessels. The purpose of this initial public meeting was to generate ideas to improve, strengthen, and sustain the cargo opportunities and sealift capacity of the U.S.-flagged fleet engaged in international commercial trade. A second symposium was held in May which focused on domestic shipping, shipbuilding, ports and the needs of maritime stakeholders on the inland waterways, Great Lakes, gulf and coastwise trade. This meeting will be closed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(3) in order to deliberate on pre-decisional Agency policy documents containing selected concepts submitted to MARAD from interested members of the public during the two symposiums and as comments in response to meeting notices published in the Federal Register to facilitate the development of a National Maritime Strategy (NMS). The input MARAD receives from the Council will be part of its on-going deliberations as it prepares a long term maritime strategy. As this national maritime strategy develops, MARAD will continue to provide additional opportunities for the public to comment.

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.