Foreign Transfer

Foreign Transfer (U.S. flag vessels)

Providing required approval for all U.S. Documented Vessels over 1,000 gross tons switching to foreign ownership and/or registry and flag.

The Maritime Administration is changing its approval process for the Request for Transfer of Ownership, Registry, and Flag, or Charter, Lease, or Mortgage of U.S. documented vessels (MA-29) to include notification to the Environmental Protection Agency of the request. This notice is to advise applicants of the potential processing delay so that they can factor it into their business plans.

Under 46 U.S.C. § 56101, U.S. documented vessels 1,000 gross tons and over require approval of the Maritime Administration to be transferred to foreign ownership, flag and/or registry. Vessels 3,000 gross tons and over are subject to additional financial terms and conditions contained in 46 CFR Part 221. The Maritime Administration requires a formal application with supporting (U.S. Coast Guard Form 1330) documentation including an original Coast Guard issued certificate of ownership. The Maritime Administration charges the following fees for processing applications.

MA-29 application fees schedule:
Vessels 3,000 gross tons: $325.00
Vessels less than 3,000 gross tons: $170.00
Amendments to existing contract: $260.00

Payment shall be made by Cashier’s Check, Certified Check or Money Order Payable to “Maritime Administration”

Completed applications and payments should be mailed to:
Department of Transportation
Maritime Administration MAR-630
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
W25-314, West Building
Washington, DC 20590

Vessel Transfer Application

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
The Maritime Administration changed its approval process for the Request for Transfer of Ownership, Registry, and Flag or Charter, Lease, or Mortgage of U.S. documented vessels (MA-29) to include notification to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the request. This notice is to advise applicants of EPA’s 30 day processing delay so that they can factor it into their business plans.

MARAD’s Federal Register Notice: Approval Process for Transfers to Foreign Registry of U.S. Documented Vessels Over 1,000 Gross Tons

In November, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency published a guidance document titled “Technical Guidance for Determining the Presence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) at Regulated Concentrations on Vessels (Ships) to be Reflagged.” This guidance should assist ship owners in making well informed self-certifications that are required as part of the reflag process.

EPA’s Technical Guidance for Determining the Presence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) at Regulated Concentrations on Vessels (Ships) to be Reflagged

Contact

Deveeda Midgette
Vessel Transfer Officer
202-366-2354 or 202-366-2323
202-366-5904(fax)
deveeda.midgette@dot.gov

Or
Katrina McRae
Vessel Transfer Specialist
(202) 366-9198
mailto:Katrina.mcrae@dot.gov