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Supplemental Guidance

The documents below provide supplemental guidance for shippers and carriers of Government-impelled cargoes.

Document list
Document ReferenceDocument Title
OCP-2009-01Vessels, Owners, Operators Prohibited from Carrying Government Impelled Cargo
OCP-2009-02Prioritization of U.S.-Flag Shipping Services – Listing of priorities of U.S.-flag shipping services for compliance with cargo preference requirements of the Cargo Preference Act of 1954
MIL-2009-02Transportation Requirements for Department of Defense Projects in Guam
AG-2009-01“The United States Government is currently in the process of reviewing the manner in which the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are conforming with the Cargo Preference Act (“CPA”), 46 U.S.C. § 55305 et seq., which requires that a minimum percentage of ocean cargo generated by certain Government programs be transported on U.S.-flag vessels. While that review process is pending, the agencies that operate CPA-related programs have agreed to comply with the CPA in a uniform manner. The details of that agreement can be found [here].”
AG-2009-03Procedures for Determining Vessel Categories Liberty Appeal to MarAd (November 2009)
AG-2009-02Memorandum of Understanding among the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Agency for International Development Regarding Procedures for Determining Vessel Service Categories for Purposes of the Cargo Preference Act
MIL-2010-01Notice to the Trade – Reminder of Priority System to Maximize the Use of U.S.-Flag Vessels for DOD Cargoes
MIL-2010-02Summary of Procedures to Follow Under Department of Defense Contracts When U.S.-Flag Service is Not Available 
n/aMaritime Administration U.S.-Flag Shipping Guidance for Shipments Financed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States

For more information regarding cargo preference, please visit the following links:

Office of Cargo and Commercial Sealift

Cargo Preference Laws and Regulations

Last updated: Tuesday, April 21, 2020