# 2026-12547: New Rules Set for U.S. Tanker Security Program Payments 2026-12547, Tanker Security Program, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Maritime Administration published 2026-06-23, effective 2026-07-23; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-30). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12547 - As of: 2026-06-30 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-12547 - Title: Tanker Security Program - Type: Rule - Agencies: Transportation Department; Maritime Administration - Citation: 91 FR 37321 - Published: 2026-06-23 - Effective: 2026-07-23 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: yes (FR_METADATA) - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 2133-AB95 - Last updated: 2026-06-30 ## In one line New Rules Set for U.S. Tanker Security Program Payments ## Summary The Tanker Security Program (TSP) helps keep a fleet of U.S.-flagged tankers ready for national defense and security needs. This final rule updates the program based on feedback and sets new rules for which tankers qualify, including limits on government charters. Starting July 23, 2026, eligible tanker owners can receive payments to support their operations, boosting America’s maritime strength and economy. ## Abstract This final rule implements the Tanker Security Program (TSP) and makes certain changes to the TSP interim final rule (IFR) published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022, in response to public comments received on the IFR, feedback from stakeholders, and MARAD's own experience during initial program administration. The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to establish TSP, comprised of a fleet of active, commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned product tank vessels of the United States. The TSP Fleet is intended to meet national defense and other security requirements and maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping. TSP supports the United States maritime industries and workforce to promote national security and economic resilience. ## Effects PRIA read - Multi‑Million Dollar Operator Stipends: benefit, high. If you operate an eligible U.S.-flag product tanker, you can receive an annual stipend. The rule states current payments at $8,160,000 per ship per fiscal year (rising to $9,833,000 per ship by fiscal years 2039–2040) and program funding authorized at $122,400,000 per year for FY2025–2026 rising to… - Who Can Join TSP: Eligibility Rules: cost, high. To join TSP your tanker must be a U.S.-flag product tanker that is commercially viable and militarily useful and must operate in U.S. foreign commerce. The rule text also references vessel age limits in two places: it states vessels must be "not more than 10 years in age" in one section and defines… - Government Charter 180‑Day Disqualification: cost, medium. A vessel under a long‑term charter to the U.S. Government lasting more than 180 continuous calendar days becomes ineligible for TSP participation. The rule clarifies ineligibility occurs on the date and time the vessel is actually delivered to and accepted by the Government for operation under the… - VTA Activations Not Disqualifying: benefit, medium. If your TSP vessel is activated under a Voluntary Tanker Agreement (VTA) to meet contingency needs, that activation is not treated as a long‑term Government charter for purposes of disqualification. MARAD also will not terminate an Operating Agreement if a vessel suffers a marine casualty while act… - TSP Fleet Size and Funding Schedule: benefit, high. Congress authorizes up to 20 TSP vessels and MARAD reflects that cap. The statute phases fleet size and funding: funding authorization for 15 vessels is provided for FY2025–2026 and funding for 20 vessels for FY2027–2028; payments per vessel are authorized at $8,160,000 for FY2025–2026 and up to $9… - Priority for U.S.-Built Tankers: benefit, low. MARAD added a fourth selection priority that gives preference to tankers built in the United States. The rule notes there are currently no U.S.-built tanker vessels but adds the priority to encourage U.S. shipbuilding without excluding foreign‑built vessels. - Maintenance Reporting and Payment Limits: cost, medium. Agreement Holders must notify MARAD in advance of any maintenance, survey, inspection, or repair that would render a vessel unable to move under its own power or unable to meet VTA obligations. MARAD will not make payments for any day a vessel is in maintenance/survey/repair that exceeds 30 days pe… - Application Paperwork Cost Estimate: cost, low. MARAD estimates the annual paperwork burden for TSP application and administration at $2,438.50. Applicants must provide extensive corporate, financial, vessel, and operational documentation to apply. - Operating Agreements Extended Through FY2040: benefit, medium. MARAD extended the authorization period of TSP Operating Agreements to the end of fiscal year 2040 and may enter into new Operating Agreements after the start of the initial ten agreements. Obligations under Operating Agreements are subject to actual annual appropriations. ## Related documents - [2026-20760](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20760): Request for Comments on the Renewal of a Previously Approved Information Collection: Application and Reporting Elements for Participation i…, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20761](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20761): Request for Comments on the Renewal of a Previously Approved Information Collection: War Risk Insurance, Applications, and Related Informat…, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20584](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20584): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V BACK OFF, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20588](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20588): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V BACK OFF, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20587](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20587): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V BEAR PAW, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20589](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20589): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V AK-6447-AX, 2026-10-08 ## Sources - [2026-12547 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/23/2026-12547/tanker-security-program) - [2026-12547 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-23/pdf/2026-12547.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-12546, Special Local Regulation; Oyster Bay Harbor, Wantagh, NY](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12546) - [Next: 2026-12557, Safety Zone; Straits of Mackinac, Mackinaw City, MI](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12557) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12547 (as of 2026-06-30).