Federal Port Controllers; Clarification of the Event That Allows the Activation of the Federal Port Controller Service Agreements

Riepilogo

These proposed amendments to the regulations of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) concern control and utilization of ports. The Federal Port Controllers regulations (46 CFR Part 346) would be amended to state that standby service agreements between the United States of America, acting through MARAD, and port authorities or private corporations may, at the discretion of MARAD, become operational upon deployment of the Armed Forces of the United States, or other requirements of the nation's defense. These amendments would allow the activation of the standby service agreements earlier in most emergencies. They would make the timing of the Federal Port Controller activation consistent with that in MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 340 governing priority use and allocation of shipping services, containers and chassis and port facilities. The proposed conforming amendment to 46 CFR Part 345 redefines ``Federal Port Controller'' to harmonize with the change in Part 346.