Welcome to the Maritime Administration's Office of Cargo Preference and Domestic Trade (Office) web site. The Office's primary focus is to promote and monitor the use of U.S.-flag vessels in the movement of cargo on international waters. The office is composed of three sections: Agricultural Cargoes, Civilian Agencies, and Military Cargoes. Information related to these three sections may be accessed by the appropriate links below. In addition, links to Government and private entities have been provided for your viewing. However, it should be noted that the Office only accounts for the accuracy of information on its web site.
To fully understand the movement of cargo, let's first define:
What is Cargo Preference?
The Cargo Preference program works to promote and facilitate a U.S. maritime transportation system that is accessible and efficient in the movement of goods and people. It oversees the administration of and compliance with U.S. cargo preference laws and regulations. Those laws require shippers to use U.S.-flag vessels to transport any government-impelled oceanborne cargoes.
What is Government-impelled cargo?
Government-impelled cargo is cargo that is moving:
Why Do We Have Cargo Preference?
To provide a revenue base that will retain and encourage a privately owned and operated U.S.-flag merchant marine because the U.S.-flag merchant marine is a vital resource providing:
What percent of cargo is required to be carried on U.S.-flag vessels?
What is the Process?
The process is framed below:
Customer Outreach
Tel: (800) 9US-Flag (987-3524) or (202) 366-4610
Fax: (202) 366-5522
Email: cargo.marad@dot.gov
Contact us at 1-800-9US-FLAG if help is needed in locating U.S.-flag service