(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) announced on Monday that it will take on oversight of deepwater port licensing from the U.S. Coast Guard. This change will streamline environmental reviews, accelerate license approvals, and lower domestic energy costs.
“The Deepwater Port Program is a key pillar of President Trump’s energy dominance strategy. 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,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
“MarAd is excited and proud to lead the Deepwater Port Program. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners at the U.S. Coast Guard to make this process more efficient and fuel our energy economy for years to come,” said MarAd Administrator Steve Carmel.
In overseeing the licensing process, MarAd will assume National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and environmental compliance review duties. The Coast Guard will instead support as a cooperating agency and will remain responsible for overseeing safety, design, construction and operations of deepwater port facilities. This transition advances President Trump’s executive order on unleashing American energy.
The Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (DWPA) establishes 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. The DWPA 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.
Thirty-one deepwater port license applications have been filed for approval since 1975. Eighteen applications were filed for licenses to import liquefied natural gas (LNG); five applications were filed to export LNG; six applications were filed to export oil; and two applications were filed for licenses to import oil.
– U.S. Department of Transportation
