AASHTO Journal - Deepwater Port Licensing Shifts to Maritime Administration

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced that the Maritime Administration – known as MARAD – will take on oversight of deepwater port licensing from the U.S. Coast Guard; a change aimed at streamlining environmental reviews, accelerating license approvals, and lowering domestic energy costs.

[Above photo by MARAD]

The Deepwater Port Act of 1974 established the Deepwater Port Program under the auspices of USDOT; a licensing system for ownership, construction, operation, and decommissioning of deepwater port structures located beyond the U.S. territorial sea for the import and export of oil and natural gas.

That legislation sets out conditions that deepwater port license applicants must meet, including minimization of adverse impacts on the marine environment and submission of detailed plans for construction, operation, and decommissioning of deepwater ports.

In overseeing the licensing process, MARAD will assume National Environmental Protection Act and environmental compliance review duties, with the Coast Guard serving in support as a cooperating agency and remaining responsible for overseeing safety,

“With this change, we’ll soon accelerate project approvals so the nation can safely utilize more of its abundant natural resources, create more high paying jobs, and lower energy costs for American families,” explained Sean Duffy, USDOT secretary, in a statement.