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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

General

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Small Vessel Waiver Program

What is the Small Vessel Waiver Program?

The Jones Act requires that vessels operating in coastwise commerce be built in the U.S. whenever possible. However, there are many cases in which foreign-built vessels or vessels of unknown build can contribute to U.S. commerce, especially those operating as commercial passenger vessels. The Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) -- contained within the Jones Act -- authorizes MARAD to waive the U.S. build requirement in certain circumstances....

Domestic Shipping

U.S. Shipping in U.S. Waters

The purpose of this website is to reinforce the importance of the coastwise laws and to explain the Maritime Administration’s role when exemptions are requested.  The site also acts as a platform were MARAD can post required notices related to such exemptions.

Domestic waterborne transportation is safe, reliable, efficient and an established mainstay of America’s national transportation system. This service is provided by U.S.-flag...

U.S.-flag Services

Welcome to the U.S. Flag Services section of the Office of Cargo and Commercial Sealift.

We have provided several areas of information for your use. You’ll find a listing of U.S. Flag Carriers which will include contact information and the U.S. flag vessels they operate. If you want to see an alphabetical listing of vessels, please visit the U.S. Flag Vessels link provided below.

Submission of Cargo Preference Schedule 310 and MA-1025

Owners/operators of a U.S.-flag vessel(s) participating in the Cargo Preference program are required to submit annual vessel operating and capital cost information per 46 CFR 382.2. Submit operating cost information in the format stipulated in 46 CFR 232.1, on Schedule 310 of Form MA- 172.

The Maritime Administration, in an effort to reduce the reporting burden on companies and to improve both the completeness and the quality of our data, has made Schedule 310 of Form MA-172 and the...

Shipper Recognition Program

The Maritime Administration re-established the Shipper Recognition Program in May 2003. The purpose of the awards program is to recognize quality companies that have supported the U.S. merchant marine by transporting a significant share of their international cargo on U.S.-flag vessels. The Maritime Administrator’s comments sum up how valuable these entities are to the maritime industry. He notes, “By giving a substantial portion of their international business to U.S. carriers these...

Military Cargo

What is Military Cargo?

Per the Military Cargo Preference Act of 1904, items procured for, intended for use by, or owned by military departments or defense agencies must move exclusively (100 percent) on U.S.-flag vessels, unless the rates are excessive or otherwise unreasonable for commercial vessels of the United States.

The Military's Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) books most DOD container cargo on U.S.-flag vessels for the various DOD shipper services...

Office of Port Infrastructure Development

There are more than 300 ports in the United States, and they are all different. Ports may be operated by a state, a county, a municipality, a private corporation, or a combination. Many ports are complex entities, involving facilities for transportation by several modes of transportation: water, rail, road, or even air. Ports are a vitally important part of the nationwide Marine Transportation System, which includes not only ports, but also inland and coastal waterways, and the inter-modal...

Shipping Guidance for Cargo Financed by the EXIM Bank

This page lists high-level shipping guidance for cargo subject to EXIM cargo preference laws, per PR-17. Along side Civilian Agencies Cargoes (considered any non-Agricultural cargo or cargo governed by the Military Cargo Preference Act), MARAD enforces the EXIM requirement that 100 percent of certain cargoes generated by EXIM Bank loans and loan guarantees are required to be carried on U.S.-flag vessels. Additionally, cargo...