Office of Ports & Waterways

United States Marine Highway Program

The United States has a versatile and expansive network of navigable waterways, including rivers, bays, channels, coasts, the Great Lakes, open-ocean routes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway System. We like to think of this as “the United States' marine...

Requirements to Hold a Preferred Mortgage

In order for a Mortgagee to be eligible to obtain a Preferred Mortgage on a Fishing Industry Vessel after April 1, 2003, it must be:

Affidavit of United States Citizenship

Launch Barge Program

The Maritime Administration’s Launch Barge Program is designed to ensure that the largest of petroleum production platforms can be installed in a safe and timely manner.

The Launch Barge Program has three parts:

Small Vessel Waiver Program

The Jones Act requires that vessels operating in coastwise commerce be built in the U.S...

Domestic Shipping

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the “Jones Act” (46 U.S.C. § 55102), requires that no vessel may transport any merchandise by water, by land and water, or via a foreign port, for any part of the transportation, between points in the United...

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Cargo Preference

U.S.-flag Services

Welcome to the U.S. Flag Services section of the Office of Cargo and Commercial Sealift.

We have provided several areas of information for your use. You’ll find a listing of U.S. Flag Carriers which will include contact information and website links. If you want to see an alphabetical...

Submission of Cargo Preference Schedule 310 and MA-1025

Owners/operators of a U.S.-flag vessel(s) participating in the Cargo Preference program are required to submit annual vessel operating and capital cost information per 46 CFR 382.2. Submit operating cost information in the format stipulated in 46 CFR 232.1, on Schedule 310 of Form MA- 172....