🚢Regulatory Update on Agency Agreements and Appointments by MARAD
MARAD is revising its regulations pertaining to the award and administration of agency agreements in the form of service agreements and ship manager contracts. The rule is intended to correct numerous citations in accordance with the codification of Title 46 of the United States Code; improve accessibility by modernizing text and updating agency contact information; and remove obsolete references.
Learn More🐟Maritime Administration Proposes Changes to American Fisheries Act Regulations
On May 1, 2019, MARAD published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), titled "How Best to Simplify Filing Statements of American Fisheries Act Citizenship: Policy and Regulatory Review," soliciting public comment on steps MARAD could take to simplify and modernize the process for evidencing U.S. citizenship for owners of U.S.-flag fishing industry vessels of 100 feet or greater in registered length. In response to public support for updating our regulations, MARAD is soliciting public comments on this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). Consistent with comments received, the proposed rule would simplify the annual citizenship filing procedures under the American Fisheries Act (AFA) program in order to reduce costs or administrative burdens placed on owners of fishing industry vessels. MARAD proposes (1) to simplify and streamline annual renewal filing for vessel owners whose citizenship information has not changed since their affidavit of U.S. citizenship (AFA Affidavit) filing; (2) to update acceptable methods for evidencing citizenship of publicly traded entities; and (3) to eliminate requirements to provide personally identifiable information (i.e., social security numbers and dates and places of birth for corporate officers and directors) in affidavits of AFA citizenship.
Learn More⚓Rescinding Maritime Regulations
MARAD is deleting 46 CFR parts 317, 324, 325, 326, 328, 329, 330, 332, 335, 336, 337, 338, and 339, which pertain to terms under agreements with agents. While MARAD is retaining its 46 CFR part 315 regulation addressing agency agreements and the appointment of agents, other regulations that simply provide static procedures to serve as terms of agreement are obsolete and are being rescinded because they are covered by clauses contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). In the more than 30 years since MARAD last updated its regulations, the development of its service agreements has benefited from the uniformity and transparency provided by FAR clauses, and MARAD has increased reliance on them.
Learn More⚙️Analysis of OSHA Safety Color Code Regulatory Removal
This proposed rule removes from the Code of Federal Regulations: OSHA's Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards Standard, 29 CFR 1910.144; paragraph (c)(8) of OSHA's Textiles Standard, 29 CFR 1910.262; paragraph (c)(11) of OSHA's Sawmills Standard, 29 CFR 1910.265; and OSHA's Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards for Shipyard Employment Standard, 29 CFR 1915.90.
Learn More⚓Federal Maritime Commission Revisions to Authority and Organization
The Federal Maritime Commission (Commission or FMC) is revising certain delegations of authority from the Commission, updating descriptions of organization components, and making minor related technical amendments. These revisions reflect re-organization of certain functions within the agency.
Learn More🚢Comments Requested on Foreign-Built Vessel Use in U.S. Trade
The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to make determinations regarding the coastwise use of foreign built; certain U.S. built; and U.S. and foreign rebuilt vessels that solely carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. MARAD has received such a determination request and is publishing this notice to solicit comments to assist with determining whether the proposed use of the vessel set forth in the request would have an adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or U.S. coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.-built vessels in those businesses. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a description of the proposed service, is in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
Learn More🚫OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing the names of one or more persons and vessels that have been placed on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) based on OFAC's determination that one or more applicable legal criteria were satisfied. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. The vessels placed on the SDN List have been identified as property in which a blocked person has an interest.
Learn More🚢Coast Guard Seeks Comments on Vessel Fire Control Plans Collection
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0033, Display of Fire Control Plans for Vessel; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.
Learn More📜Compliance and Trade Implications for USMCA Textile and Automotive Industries
This interim final rule amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to add implementing regulations for the preferential tariff treatment and related customs provisions of the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA) with respect to general definitions, drawback and duty-deferral programs, textile and apparel goods, and automotive goods. This document also amends the regulations to implement the temporary admission of goods, to delineate recordkeeping and protest requirements, to clarify the fee provisions, and to make conforming amendments, including technical corrections to other laws as required by statute.
Learn More⚓New Cybersecurity Regulations for U.S.-Flagged Vessels and Facilities
The Coast Guard is updating its maritime security regulations by establishing minimum cybersecurity requirements for U.S.-flagged vessels, Outer Continental Shelf facilities, and facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 regulations. This final rule addresses current and emerging cybersecurity threats in the marine transportation system by adding minimum cybersecurity requirements to help detect risks and respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents. These include requirements to develop and maintain a Cybersecurity Plan, designate a Cybersecurity Officer, and take various measures to maintain cybersecurity within the marine transportation system. The Coast Guard is also seeking comments on a potential delay for the implementation periods for U.S.-flagged vessels.
Learn More