Request for Comments on the Renewal of a Previously Approved Information Collection: Voluntary Tanker Agreement

AGENCY:

Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection OMB 2133–0505 (Voluntary Tanker Agreement) is used to gather information from tanker operators who agree to contribute, either by direct charter to the Department of Defense or to other participants, tanker capacity as requested by the Maritime Administrator, to meet the essential need for the transportation of petroleum and petroleum products in bulk by sea. The public burden is being updated to include mailing costs for respondents to submit responses for this collection. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before July 5, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by Docket No. DOT–MARAD 2023–0100 through one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Search using the above DOT docket number and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

• Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.

Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the Department's performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for the Department to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David Hatcher, (202) 366–0688, Office of Sealift Support, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, Email: David.Hatcher1@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Voluntary Tanker Agreement.

OMB Control Number: 2133–0505.

Type of Request: Renewal of a previously approved information collection.

Abstract: The Voluntary Tanker Agreement (VTA) is a voluntary agreement, in accordance with section 708, Defense Production Act, 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. 4558). The collection consists of a request from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) that each VTA participant submit a list of the names of ships owned, chartered, or contracted for by the participant, their size, flags of registry, and other pertinent information. This collection of information is necessary to evaluate and plan for the use of tanker capability during national emergencies. The collected information will also be used by both MARAD and Department of Defense personnel to establish contingency plans.

Respondents: Coastwise-qualified vessel owners, operators, charterers, brokers, and vessel representatives.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.

Estimated Number of Responses: 15.

Estimated Hours per Response: 1.

Annual Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15.

Frequency of Response: Annually.

(Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.49.)