MARAD Issues New Information Collection Notice for Cargo Preference Shipments

The U.S. Maritime Administration has issued a notice regarding the collection of information on shipments subject to the Cargo Preference Act of 1954, which requires that at least 50% of government-impelled cargoes be shipped on U.S.-flag vessels. The MARAD notice indicates that the agency intends to collect ocean carrier bill of lading information that will be used to ensure proper and timely shipment of government-impelled cargoes and compliance with cargo preference rules. The bills will be collected from shippers of cargo including equipment, materials, or commodities financed in any way by U.S. Federal Government funds. Although posted as a new information collection activity, the notice appears to be prudent housekeeping to ensure that current information collection activities conform to the Paperwork Reduction Act.  Comments on the notice are due August 12, 2019.