2022-00555. Request for Comments of a Previously Approved Information Collection: Determination of Fair and Reasonable Rates for Carriage of Agriculture Cargoes on U.S. Commercial Vessels-46 CFR

AGENCY:

Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comments. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on October 19, 2021.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before February 14, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Albert L. Bratton III, [phone], Office of Business Finance, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Determination of Fair and Reasonable Rates for Carriage of Agriculture Cargoes on U.S. Commercial Vessels—46 CFR.

OMB Control Number: 2133-0514.

Type of Request: Renewal of Previously approved collection.

Abstract: 46 U.S.C. 55305 and the Food Security Act of 1985 require that at least 50% of U.S. government sponsored agriculture bulk and packaged cargoes be shipped on U.S.-flag vessels to the extent that such vessels are available at fair and reasonable rates. Pursuant to 46 CFR part 381, Government agencies must comply with the cargo preference laws and must submit data to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) on U.S. and foreign-flag carriage of preference cargoes under their control. Part 382 requires U.S. operators to submit specific data to MARAD regarding fair and reasonable guideline rates for the carriage of preference cargoes on U.S.-flag vessels. The collection of vessel data contributes toward the U.S. Department of Transportation's strategic goal of National Security. In addition, this data collection requires U.S.-flag operators to submit vessel-operating costs and capital costs data to MARAD officials on an annual basis. This information is needed by MARAD to establish fair and reasonable guideline rates for carriage of specific cargoes on U.S. vessels.

Respondents: U.S. citizens who own and operate U.S.-flag vessels.

Affected Public: Business or other for profit.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 35.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 62.

Frequency of Collection: Annually.

Estimated Times per Respondent: 1-4 hours.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 170.

Public Comments Invited: Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

(Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.93)

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By Order of the Acting Maritime Administrator.

T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,

Secretary, Maritime Administration.