Uncle Sam Still Insures Ships from War Risks
Published Date: 10/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The Maritime Administration wants to keep collecting info for war risk insurance, which helps ship owners get coverage when commercial options aren’t available. This insurance protects U.S. trade and ship owners from war-related losses. If you have thoughts, share them by December 8, 2026, to help improve the process without adding extra hassle or cost.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Government War-Risk Insurance Available
The Maritime Administration provides war risk insurance from the U.S. Government to vessel owners when such insurance is not available on reasonable terms in the commercial market. This program is described as protecting ship owners from war-related losses and assuring continued flow of essential U.S. trade (OMB Control Number 2133-0011).
Annual Information-Collection Burden on Vessel Owners
Vessel owners and their representatives must submit annual forms to apply for the War Risk Insurance program. The agency estimates 20 respondents and 20 responses annually, at 12.8 hours per response, for a total estimated annual burden of 258 hours.
Program Aims to Assure U.S. Trade Continuity
MARAD states the War Risk Insurance program helps assure continued flow of essential U.S. trade and that applicants warrant operation in U.S. waterborne commerce in the interests of national defense or economic prosperity. The forms collect eligibility, peril identification, U.S. citizenship/control status, and operating warranties.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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