The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a final rule clarifying the requirement that Agents (including Ship Managers) for the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) appointed by MARAD be citizens. The amendment makes it clear that the US citizenship requirement does not apply to a contractor managing vessels owned by the United States under a contract or contracts awarded by another federal agency if the contract, and the vessels managed under such contract, are subsequently transferred to MARAD, provided that the period of performance of the transferred contract does not exceed the period of performance of the original contract, including options. This clarification is effective immediately.
73 Fed. Reg. 49357
Source: HK Law