Foreign 'Esprit de Mer' seeks spirit of U.S. coastwise trade.
Published Date: 4/23/2025
Notice
Summary
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on a request to use a foreign-built small passenger vessel, the S/V Esprit de Mer, for U.S. coastwise trade. This decision affects businesses that operate U.S.-built vessels and could impact the local shipbuilding industry. Comments are due by May 23, 2025, so jump in and share your thoughts before then!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Foreign-built vessel may enter coastwise trade
MARAD received a request to allow the foreign-built small passenger vessel S/V Esprit de Mer to operate in U.S. coastwise trade. MARAD will decide whether that use would have an undue adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses that employ U.S.-built vessels; interested parties may submit comments to docket MARAD-2025-0009 by May 23, 2025 to show adverse effects.
Eligibility limited to 12-passenger vessels
The statutory authority discussed applies only to small passenger vessels that solely carry no more than 12 passengers for hire. If your vessel carries more than 12 passengers for hire, it is not covered by this MARAD coastwise-eligibility process described in the notice.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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