Diplomacy Boat Navigates Foreign-Build Trade Rules
Published Date: 5/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. government is asking for your thoughts on letting a foreign-built small passenger boat, the M/V DIPLOMCY, operate in U.S. coastal waters carrying up to 12 paying passengers. This could affect U.S. boat builders and local businesses, so they want to make sure it won’t hurt American jobs or trade. You have until June 22, 2026, to share your opinion—no cost changes yet, just a chance to weigh in!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Foreign-Built Boat May Enter Coastwise Trade
MARAD is asking whether the foreign-built small passenger vessel M/V DIPLOMCY should be allowed to operate in U.S. coastwise trade carrying no more than 12 paying passengers. Interested parties may submit comments about whether this use would have an undue adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses; comments are due by June 22, 2026.
How to Comment and Protect Confidential Information
Comments on the request must be submitted to DOT Docket Number MARAD-2026-0761 and will be posted publicly; you may request confidential commercial treatment by emailing MARAD with the subject line 'Contains Confidential Commercial Information' and explaining why specific parts should be withheld. All comments must be in English and be submitted by June 22, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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