Maritime Administration July 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces that the open season for Fiscal Year 2017 applications for participation in the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) program will run for 30 days beginning today and ending August 29, 2016. The purpose of this notice is to invite interested, qualified U.S.-flag vessel operators that are not currently enrolled in the VISA program to apply. This is the only planned enrollment period for carriers to join the VISA program and derive benefits for Department of Defense (DOD) peacetime contracts initiated during the period from October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017. Any U.S.-flag vessel operator organized under the laws of a state of the United States, or the District of Columbia, who is able and willing to commit militarily useful sealift assets and assume the related consequential risks of commercial disruption, may be eligible to participate in the VISA program. The mission of VISA is to provide commercial sealift and intermodal shipping services and systems, including access to vessels, vessel space, intermodal systems and equipment, terminal facilities, and related management services, to the Department of Defense (DOD), as necessary, to meet national defense contingency requirements or national emergencies. Carriers enrolled in the VISA program provide DOD with assured access to such services during contingencies. In return for their VISA commitment, DOD gives VISA participants priority for carriage of peacetime cargos.

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.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD), in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Delfin LNG deepwater port license application for the exportation of natural gas. Delfin LNG, LLC (Delfin LNG), is the applicant. A Notice of Application that summarized the original Delfin LNG license application was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2015 (80 FR 42162). A Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Notice of Public Meetings was published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2015 (80 FR 45270). A Notice of Receipt of Amended Application was published in the Federal Register on December 24, 2015 (80 FR 80455). This Notice of Availability (NOA) incorporates the aforementioned Notices by reference. The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater port would be located in Federal waters within the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) approximately 37.4 to 40.8 nautical miles off the coast of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The proposed Delfin LNG deepwater port incorporates onshore components, which are subject to FERC jurisdiction. These facilities are described in the section of this Notice titled ``FERC Application.'' Publication of this notice begins a 45-day comment period, requests public participation in the environmental impact review process, provides information on how to participate in the process and announces informational open houses and public meetings in Cameron, Louisiana and Beaumont, Texas.

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.

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.

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.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces that the name of the U.S. Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council has been changed to the U.S. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC or Committee). Furthermore, MARAD announces a public meeting of the MTSNAC to discuss advice and recommendations for the U.S. Department of Transportation on issues related to the maritime transportation system. Issues the MTSNAC will consider during this meeting include: Impediments to short sea transportation; expanding international gateway ports, using waterborne transportation to increase mobility throughout the domestic transportation system; modernizing the U.S. maritime workforce; strengthening maritime capabilities; and, encouraging maritime innovation.