# 2026-22617: Deepwater Port Paperwork Changes Hands From Coast Guard to MARAD 2026-22617, Deepwater Port Application Processing and Licensing, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Maritime Administration published 2026-11-05, effective Comments should be filed on or before January 4, 2027. Late comments will be considered to the extent practicable.; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-06). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22617 - As of: 2026-11-06 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-22617 - Title: Deepwater Port Application Processing and Licensing - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Transportation Department; Maritime Administration - Citation: 91 FR 69768 - Published: 2026-11-05 - Effective: Comments should be filed on or before January 4, 2027. Late comments will be considered to the extent practicable. - Comments close: 2027-01-04 - Significant: yes (FR_METADATA) - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 2133-AC01 - Last updated: 2026-11-06 ## In one line Deepwater Port Paperwork Changes Hands From Coast Guard to MARAD ## Summary The government is switching who handles deepwater port license applications from the Coast Guard to the Maritime Administration (MARAD). This change means MARAD will lead the environmental review process, while the Coast Guard keeps managing port safety and operations. If you’re involved in deepwater ports, get ready to send your comments by January 4, 2027, and watch for new rules that could affect how licenses are processed. ## Abstract This document proposes procedures for the processing of applications for the licensing of deepwater ports. The proposed rule reflects the transfer of deepwater port license application processing management under the Deepwater Port Act from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to MARAD. Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (2026 NDAA), MARAD is the Federal lead agency for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for all deepwater port license applications. USCG responsibility for authorities pertaining to design, construction, equipment, operation of deepwater ports, and navigational safety are not affected by the 2026 NDAA statutory changes, or this proposed rule and will continue to be administered by USCG. ## Effects PRIA read - MARAD now leads license processing: benefit, medium. If you apply for a deepwater port license, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) will now manage application processing and lead National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews pursuant to the 2026 NDAA. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will still handle design, construction, equipment, operation, naviga… - Application fee and cost estimates remain substantial: cost, high. Applicants must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $350,000 (the rule retains the current fee) and reimburse the government for application processing costs as required by statute. MARAD estimates the application process takes 5,232 hours per application (total annual burden 10,464 hours) and r… - Lowered filing and survey burdens: benefit, medium. MARAD would require only one printed copy and one electronic copy of applications instead of multiple physical copies, and would allow use of existing hydrographic and engineering geological survey data collected within the previous 5 years (or longer with MARAD approval) rather than forcing new of… - Applicant-controlled timeline and technical help: benefit, low. Under the proposed rule, MARAD would suspend application review timelines only when the applicant requests suspension to provide additional information. An applicant who receives a MARAD request for additional information may request a technical assistance meeting with MARAD and relevant cooperatin… - Governor action deadline set to 45 days: cost, low. MARAD will accept approval or disapproval decisions from Governors of Adjacent Coastal States only within the 45-day period after the close of the final public hearing on an application and not before the final public hearing. - 60-day public comment window (deadline Jan 4, 2027): benefit, low. Stakeholders may submit comments on the proposed rule during a 60-day public comment period; comments must be filed on or before January 4, 2027. MARAD will post comments to the public docket at regulations.gov. ## Related documents - [2026-12547](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12547): Tanker Security Program, 2026-06-23 - [2026-21641](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21641): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V STARCHASER II, 2026-10-23 - [2026-21642](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21642): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V LUMINOSITY, 2026-10-23 - [2026-21638](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21638): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V GT PRINCESS, 2026-10-23 - [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 ## Sources - [2026-22617 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/05/2026-22617/deepwater-port-application-processing-and-licensing) - [2026-22617 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-05/pdf/2026-22617.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-22615, Proposed Priorities and Definitions-Secretary's Supplemental Priorities and Def…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22615) - [Next: 2026-22650, Purchasing and Property Management](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22650) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22617 (as of 2026-11-06).