Deepwater Port Application Processing and Licensing

Read our story about this rule

Open for public comment until Jan. 4, 2027. Comment on Regulations.gov

What it does

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.

The Maritime Administration's summary, as published in the Federal Register.

What it would change

1 part of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

46 CFR 248

Before this

No earlier Federal Register document under regulation identifier 2133-AC01 since Jan. 1, 2025.

What happens next and when

Comments should be filed on or before January 4, 2027. Late comments will be considered to the extent practicable.

The agency's dates, word for word.

Check it yourself

• The document in the Federal Register
• Docket MARAD-2026-0728 on Regulations.gov
• Title 46 on eCFR

The record as published

Source: the Federal Register (public domain). The document in the Federal Register