Federal Ship Financing Guarantees (20.802)

Program

20.802 Federal Ship Financing Guarantees

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Transportation
Office: Maritime Administration (MARAD)

Authorization

Federal Credit Reform Act, 46 U.S.C 537.

Program Number

20.802

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide competitive financing through the issuance of guarantees of debt issued for the purpose of financing or refinancing the construction, reconstruction or reconditioning of vessels built in United States shipyards and guarantee obligations for advanced shipbuilding technology and modern shipbuilding technology of a general shipyard facility located in the United States to stimulate commercial ship construction for domestic and export sales, encourage shipyard modernization, and support increased productivity.

Types of Assistance

GUARANTEED/INSURED LOANS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Guarantees are available to aid in financing of: 1) advanced shipbuilding technology and modern shipbuilding technology of a general shipyard facility located in the United States, and 2) vessels (including eligible export vessels) which are designed for research or for commercial use (a) in coastwide or intercostal trade; (b) on the Great Lakes or on bays, sounds, rivers, harbors, or inland lakes of the United States; (c) in foreign trade; (d) as an ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship; (e) as floating drydocks, or (f) with respect to an eligible export vessel, in world-wide trade. Any vessel of not less than 5 net tons, (other than a towboat, barge, scow, lighter, car float, canal boat or tank vessel of less than 25 gross tons) is eligible.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

An individual with the ability, experience, financial resources, and other qualifications necessary for the adequate operation and maintenance of a vessel or an eligible shipyard.

Beneficiary Eligibility

U.S. and foreign shipowners, or eligible U.S. shipyards.

Credentials/Documentation

Financial history, economic feasibility of project, operating history, citizenship of applicant. This program is excluded from coverage design and specification information under OMB Circular No. A-87. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Informal preapplication meeting is recommended. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Application Form MA-163 must be filed with the Office of Shipyards and Marine Financing, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure

Final approval granted by the Maritime Administrator.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

After a complete application has been filed with all supporting documents, processing time is approximately 60 days.

Appeals

none.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Assistance provided as ship/shipbuilding technology is constructed and/or throughout life of ship/shipbuilding technology, but in any case not to exceed 25 years from vessel delivery or economic life of the assets being financed. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Audits

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. See "Index of Current Regulations," Maritime Administration.

Records

Financial reports as per contract. Annual reports regarding citizenship, no default certificates, vessel requirements.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: No applications were approved in fiscal year 2008. As of March 18, 2009, one application has been approved in fiscal year 2009. There are five applications pending. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

69-1752-0-3-403.

Obligations

(Guaranteed/Insured Loans) FY 08 $8,408,000; FY 09 est $3,531,000; FY 10 est $3,531,000 - (New loan guarantee commitments and administrative expenses)
FY 08 $8,408,000; FY 09 $3,531,000; and FY 10 $3,531,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Historically projects have ranged from less than $1 million to several hundred million. (Average is not entered, because it would not be typical of the breadth of the program.).

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

46 CFR Part 298. Booklet entitled, "Federal Ship Financing Program."

Related Programs

11.415 Fisheries Finance Program; 20.808 Capital Construction Fund

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. See Maritime Administration Regional Offices listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

Brenda J. Bell 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., , Washington, District of Columbia 20590 Phone: (202) 366-8797

Web Site Address

http://www.marad.dot.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: In the past approvals were granted to aid in the construction of: tankers, cargo ships, LNGs, Bulk/OBOs, integrated tug/barge units, drill rigs, offshore service vessels, ocean tugs and barges, river tugs and barges, shipboard lighters, passenger vessels, ferries, and miscellaneous vessels and advanced and modern shipbuilding technology. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Projects which involve the construction, reconstruction or reconditioning of vessels in the United States and advanced and modern shipbuilding technology for a general shipyard facility are eligible for Title XI financing. In order to receive approval, applicants must possess the necessary ability, experience, financial resources and other qualifications. The financial resources necessary for the project are determined by the project's costs and the financial position and resources available to the applicant. Additionally, all projects must be determined to be economically feasible before approval can be granted. Applications are generally processed with a view towards accommodating the time frame of each and every applicant.