Tanker Security Program

TSP
CFDA 20.825 Active Direct Payment (Specified Use)
No open Grants.gov opportunities under this program right now. Browse all Department of Transportation programs →

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding
$64.3M FY2025
$9.7M
FY24
$64.3M
FY25

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 The TSP provides the Department of Defense with assured access to 10 U.S.-registered product tank vessels that may be used to supply the armed forces with fuel during times of armed conflict or national emergency.

Program Objective

The Tanker Security Program (TSP) will ensure that a core fleet of U.S.-based product tankers can operate competitively in international trade and enhance U.S. supply chain resiliency for liquid fuel products. The TSP will provide the Department of Defense with assured access to 10 U.S.-registered product tank vessels that may be used to supply the armed forces with fuel during times of armed conflict or national emergency.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Unrestricted by Entity Type

To be eligible to be included in the fleet, the vessel must:
(1) Meet the requirements of § 294.11;
(2) Operate (or in the case of a vessel to be constructed, will be operated) in providing transportation in United States foreign commerce;
(3) Be self-propelled;
(4) Be not more than 10 years of age on the date the vessel is first included in the Fleet;
(5) Be suitable for use by the United States for national defense or military purposes in time of war or national emergency, as determined by the Secretary of Defense;
(6) Be commercially viable, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation; and
(7) Be—
(i) A vessel of the United States; or
(ii) Not a vessel of the United States, but the owner of the vessel has demonstrated that—
(A) The vessel is eligible for a USCG certificate of inspection; and
(B) The vessel owner intends to have the vessel documented under 46 U.S.C. chapter 121 at the time the vessel is to be included in the fleet.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

The Secretary, in concurrence with SecDef, may award up to ten TSP Operating Agreements for the operation of product tank vessels from among those applications submitted by qualified Applicants. If the Secretary and SecDef are unable to select ten vessels for inclusion in the Fleet from their initial review of applications, they may accept additional applications for review to ensure that the Secretary can award ten TSP Operating Agreements.
TSP furthers a public purpose and MARAD does not acquire goods or services through TSP. Therefore, the selection process for awarding TSP Operating Agreements does not constitute an acquisition subject to procurement law or the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Program details & compliance

Description

The Tanker Security Program (TSP) will ensure that a core fleet of U.S.-based product tankers can operate competitively in international trade and enhance U.S. supply chain resiliency for liquid fuel products. The TSP will provide the Department of Defense with assured access to 10 U.S.-registered product tank vessels that may be used to supply the armed forces with fuel during times of armed conflict or national emergency.

Mission Categories

Primary: Water Navigation

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Each voucher submission must include a certification
that the vessel(s) for which payment is
requested were operated in accordance
with § 294.23(a) and applicable TSP
Operating Agreements.

Required Documentation

Each applicant for a TSP Operating Agreement is required to apply to the Tanker Security Program, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Electronic submissions must be submitted to
sealiftsupport@dot.gov. Application forms are available upon request or may be downloaded from MARAD's website.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
7 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Formula

This program has no statutory formula.

Contacts

David Hatcher
2023660688
1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC 20590
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-01-16. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:43:35.