Federal Officials Weigh Another Foreign-Built Passenger Vessel
Published Date: 11/6/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Transportation is asking for public comments on whether a foreign-built small passenger boat, the M/V NIUHI 2, should be allowed to operate in U.S. coastal trade. This decision could affect U.S. boat builders and businesses using American-made vessels. Comments are open until December 7, 2026, so now’s the time to weigh in!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Foreign-built boat may compete with U.S. builders
MARAD is considering whether the foreign-built small passenger vessel M/V NIUHI 2 (a vessel that would carry no more than 12 passengers for hire) may operate in U.S. coastwise trade. MARAD must decide if allowing this use would 'adversely affect' United States vessel builders or U.S. coastwise trade businesses that employ U.S.-built vessels; the decision could harm U.S. boat builders and businesses that rely on American-made vessels.
Public comment deadline and confidentiality option
Interested parties can submit comments on DOT Docket MARAD-2026-1783 about the M/V NIUHI 2 through https://www.regulations.gov or by mail; comments must be submitted on or before December 7, 2026. All comments (including personal identifying information) will be posted publicly unless you request commercially confidential treatment by emailing [email protected] with the subject line 'Contains Confidential Commercial Information' and explaining the basis.
Statutory test for small (<=12) passenger vessel eligibility
Under 46 U.S.C. 12121(b), the U.S. Coast Guard may issue a coastwise trade endorsement for eligible small passenger vessels that carry no more than 12 passengers for hire only after MARAD publishes notice and determines the vessel's coastwise use will not adversely affect U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.-built vessels. MARAD is applying this statutory standard to the M/V NIUHI 2 request.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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