Application and Reporting
Elements for Participation in the Tanker Security Program
(TSP)
New
collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)
No
Emergency
10/24/2022
09/26/2022
Requested
Previously Approved
6 Months From Approved
32
0
208
0
9,648
0
Information is used to select vessels
and operators for participation in the Tanker Security Program.
Periodic reporting is used to monitor adherence of contractors to
program parameters. Respondents are tanker vessel
operators.
This is to request the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issue a 6-month emergency
processing approval clearance for the information collection
entitled, Application and Reporting Elements for Participation in
the Tanker Security Program. In accordance with the Section 3511(c)
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
(Pub. L. 116-283), MARAD was directed to accept applications for
TSP Operating Agreements within 60 days of Congress appropriating
funds for TSP and to award TSP Operating Agreements within 90 days
of the application period closing. On March 15, 2022, the President
signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, which
provided $60,000,000 in funding for the TSP. Thus, OMB emergency
processing approval is necessary to avoid any further delay beyond
the statutory June 15, 2022, deadline for MARAD to begin accepting
applications. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2021 (FY21 NDAA) authorized the Secretary of Transportation to
establish the Tanker Security Program (TSP) comprised of a fleet of
active, commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned
product tank vessels of the United States. The fleet will meet
national defense and other security requirements and maintain a
United States presence in international commercial shipping. The
National Defense Authorization for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22 NDAA)
made minor adjustments related to the participation of long-term
charters in the TSP. The TSP provides for enrollment of eligible
tank vessels in the program for FY 2022 through FY 2035. A copy of
the Interim Final Rule is attached. This information collection
supports the Department of Transportation’s strategic goal for
National Security. A fuel tanker study required by the fiscal year
2020 National Defense Authorization Act (FY20 NDAA) examined the
sufficiency of the U.S.-flagged tanker fleet to meet National
Defense Strategy (NDS) requirements. The report’s summary found
there to be a substantial risk to the nation’s defense associated
with a heavy reliance on foreign-flagged tankers, particularly
within a contested environment. The location, timing, and specific
missions associated with some tanker requirements dictate the need
for U.S.- flagged assets, for which there currently are
insufficient numbers available. The report’s gap analysis found a
clear and critical need for a tanker security program to increase
U.S.-flagged tanker capacity, to reduce the risk of reliance on
foreign-flagged tankers for the most important fuel missions, and
to ensure the Department of Defense (DoD) has sufficient tanker
capabilities to meet NDS objectives. In response to the FY20 NDAA
Fuel Tanker Study, Congress directed in the FY21 NDAA, with minor
adjustments in the FY22 NDAA, that the Secretary of Transportation,
in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, establish a fleet of
active, commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned
product tanker vessels to meet national defense and other security
requirements and maintain a United States presence in international
commercial shipping. The Maritime Administration worked with the
DoD’s United States Transportation Command to identify and shape
TSP requirements and timelines.
US Code:
46
USC 534 Name of Law: Tanker Security Fleet
US Code: 46
USC 53402 Name of Law: Establishment of the Tanker Security
Fleet
Subtitle B, Title XXXV of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021,
authorizes the creation of a new Tanker Security Program (TSP) to
establish a fleet of active, commercially viable, militarily
useful, privately owned product tank vessels to meet national
defense and other security requirements and maintain a United
States presence in international commercial shipping. The TSP
provides for enrollment of eligible tank vessels in the program for
FY 2022 through FY 2035.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Application and Reporting Elements for Participation in the Tanker Security Program