Licensing of offshore ports shifts in effort to speed projects

(The Center Square) – Federal licensing of offshore deepwater port facilities will shift to the U.S. Maritime Administration, a change intended to speed the approval of facilities that can accommodate larger vessels transporting crude oil and natural gas.The role, previously held by the U.S. Coast Guard, moved to the Maritime Administration in January as a result of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. The Administration, which had led other aspects of the permitting process, will now serve as the lead in federal environmental reviews of infrastructure projects located more than 12 miles off the U.S. coast that seek to import and export oil and gas.“With this change, we’ll soon accelerate project approvals so the nation can safely utilize more of its abundant natural resources, create more high paying jobs, and lower energy costs for American families,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. The move could streamline a permitting process the energy industry has described as onerous.Oil and gas gian...