Washington Waves: Waterway News From D.C.

August 22, 2025

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) laid out its top priorities for the upcoming surface transportation bill in response to a request from the Department of Transportation (DOT). AAPA included equitable funding for ports, more formula funding to build port infrastructure, more reasonable Build America, Buy America (BABA) regulations and permitting reform.

“Infrastructure takes time to build,” AAPA President and CEO Cary Davis said. “It cannot be expanded or contracted rapidly in response to crises or market trends. It is therefore critical to set up our ports for success with ample funding to prepare the American maritime industrial base to compete and win in a world marked by intense global competition and economic pressures.”

AAPA also singled out an advanced appropriation of $10.9 billion over five years for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), a figure AAPA said has been shared with Congress and represents the total funding ports have applied for over the last five years of PIDP applications.

“Not only is PIDP in line with the Trump Administration’s big picture goal of restoring the maritime industry, but it also unlocks non-federal investment in port infrastructure,” AAPA stated. “On average, for every dollar ports apply for from PIDP, they match that application with a dollar of state, local or private investment to match every federal dollar of project costs.”

DOT Comment Period

The Department of Transportation (DOT) extended its comment period concerning the next surface transportation reauthorization bill. Comments, now due by September 8, may be submitted electronically, DOT’s preferred method, via STR2026@dot.gov with comments as an attachment or at www.regulations.gov under Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0468.

Comments also can be mailed to Dockets Operation at U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building, Ground Floor, W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001. All submissions should include the agency name and docket number.

For additional information, contact Daniel Cohen at 202-366-4702 or STR2026@dot.gov.

NMC Fax Numbers

The National Maritime Center (NMC) has announced new fax numbers. The numbers are 540-317-4551 for submission of NMC course approvals, designated examiner, qualified assessor requests and additional information; 540-317-4552 for submission of open-book renewal exercise answer sheets; 540-317-4553 for general inquiries and records requests not related to credential applications, such as requests for copies of mariner service records and verifying World War II merchant mariner service toward veteran status; 540-317-4554 for submission of merchant mariner credential (MMC) applications and requested additional information; and 540-317-4556 for submission of medical applications and requested additional information.

According to the NMC, the old fax numbers will be disconnected on September 1. Users will receive a transmission failure or error if attempting to fax to the old numbers. The transition does not impact the NMC’s Customer Contact Center telephone number, the agency said. 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662) remains the primary contact telephone number for NMC operations.

Committee Meetings

The Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. over three days September 9-11 via Zoom. According to the notice in the Federal Register on August 21, the final agenda, Zoom URL and dial-in information will be available on the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) website at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at www.invasivespecies.gov. All meeting participants and members of the public must register at https://forms.office.com/g/waKfikUSSq to attend the meeting virtually.

Due to the limited connections available for virtual observation, individuals must register no later than 3 p.m. September 8. For additional information on attending the ISAC meeting, submitting written comments to the ISAC or requesting to address the ISAC, contact Kelsey Brantley at 202-577-7012 or kelsey_brantley@ios.doi.gov.

The Western Water Cooperative Committee, created by law to provide a forum for discussions between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and western states regarding Corps projects, water rights and water laws, is scheduled to hold its first meeting virtually on September 4. Open to the public, the two-hour meeting will begin at 2 p.m. EDT.

Comments or requests to speak at the meeting should be submitted via email to wwcc@usace.army.mil or mail to Mr. Sean Smith or Ms.Virginia Rynk, ATTN: CEEC, 441 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000.

For additional information, contact Sean Smith at 202-761-0301 or wwcc@usace.army.mil or Virginia Rynk at 202-761-4741 or wwcc@usace.army.mil.

The committee’s website is www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Project-Planning/Legislative-Links/WRDA-2022/Western-Water-Cooperative-Committee/.

FMC Exemption

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) granted, with conditions, an exemption from the publication requirements of 46 U.S.C. § 40703 to Chinese-Polish Joint Stock Shipping Company (Chipolbrok), a controlled carrier of the People’s Republic of China.

FMC stated the two conditions require Chipolbrok to file a statement of justification under 46 U.S.C. § 40704(a) when it looks to lower its rate and limit this exemption to three years, after which Chipolbrok will be required to resubmit a petition for the exemption if it wishes to renew it.

FMC noted that the Controlled Carriers Act is concerned with ensuring that controlled carriers do not charge rates that are below a level that is just and reasonable. After considering the 11 comments submitted, with seven in support and four in opposition, the agency said it concluded granting Chipolbrok’s petition will neither substantially reduce competition nor be detrimental to commerce.

Flag State Report

The Coast Guard has announced the publication of the 2024 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report. Prepared by the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance, the report highlights U.S. domestic fleet deficiencies, inspection and marine casualty statistics and serves as a powerful tool to study trends, identify key performance indicators and bring attention to issues in the fleet.

It presents information reflecting the entire U.S. Flag fleet, including barges, cargo vessels, passenger vessels, vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf, research and school ships, fishing vessels and towing vessels.

Key findings in the report include the following.

In 2024, the U.S. Flag fleet contained 17,765 vessels subject to inspection, with Coast Guard Marine Inspectors (MI) conducting 21,187 inspections. The number of deficiencies issued increased by 2 percent from the 2023 calendar year report. There were 1,806 reportable marine casualties reported in 2024, which represented a 1 percent decrease from the 2023 calendar year report. In 2024, there were 40 Flag State detentions, an increase of 5 percent from the 2023 calendar year report.

Questions can be directed to CG-CVC@uscg.mil.