MarAd: Availability of Coastwise-Qualified Barges

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued interim regulations to establish a procedure governing administrative determinations of availability of coastwise-qualified launch barges to be used in the transportation and, if needed, launch or installation of offshore oil drilling or production platform jackets in specified projects only.  The procedure allows for use of non-coastwise-qualified launch barges if it is determined that such coastwise-qualified barges are not available.  The interim rule comes into effect on June 30.  Comments should be submitted by July 28.  73 Fed. Reg. 30783  (HK Law).