Rule2026-10492
Security Zones; Vessels Carrying Dangerous Cargo, Corpus Christi and La Quinta Ship Channels, Corpus Christi, TX
Primary source
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Published
May 27, 2026
Effective
June 26, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a security zone around vessels carrying Certain Dangerous Cargos (CDCs), for which the Captain of the Port, Corpus Christi deems enhanced security measures are necessary on a case-by-case basis. This security zone is needed to safeguard these vessels, the public, and the surrounding area from sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents, or other events of a similar nature. This rulemaking prohibits entry of vessels or person into this security zone during enforcement periods unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Corpus Christi or their designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31360-31362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10492]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2025-0703]
RIN 1625-AA87
Security Zones; Vessels Carrying Dangerous Cargo, Corpus Christi
and La Quinta Ship Channels, Corpus Christi, TX
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a security zone around vessels
carrying Certain Dangerous Cargos (CDCs), for which the Captain of the
Port, Corpus Christi deems enhanced security measures are necessary on
a case-by-case basis. This security zone is needed to safeguard these
vessels, the public, and the surrounding area from sabotage or other
subversive acts, accidents, or other events of a similar nature. This
rulemaking prohibits entry of vessels or person into this security zone
during enforcement periods unless specifically authorized by the
Captain of the Port, Corpus Christi or their designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective June 26, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type USCG-
2025-0703 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
call or email call or email Lieutenant Tim Cardenas, Sector Corpus
Christi Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone
(571) 610-4222, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3064595d5f4458491e7a1e73514254555e514370454353571e5d595c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d387babebca7bbaafd99fd90b2a1b7b6bdb2a093a6a0b0b4fdbebabf">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CDC Certain Dangerous Cargo
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
This rule establishes a permanent security zone regulation that
will be activated as necessary to protect vessels
[[Page 31361]]
carrying CDC bound for the Port of Corpus Christi. Vessels carrying CDC
within the Captain of the Port Corpus Christi Zone are potential
targets of terrorist attacks, or potential launch platforms for
terrorist attacks on other vessels, waterfront facilities, and adjacent
population centers. In the last 2 years, the Port of Corpus Christi has
seen more than 450 vessels enter or depart the port carrying CDCs, with
that number projected to almost double in the next 15 years.
The Coast Guard has previously created temporary security zones for
individual vessel transits, see for example 89 FR 96533, December 5,
2024. Continuing to create individual security zones will result in a
significant administrative burden to the unit based on the expected
number of future transits, and it will also delay public notice for
individual security zone activations. Therefore, the Coast Guard is
establishing this security zone to safeguard these vessels, the public,
and the surrounding area from sabotage or other subversive acts,
accidents, or other events of a similar nature.
On December 23, 2025, the Coast Guard published a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled, ``Security Zones; Vessels Carrying
Dangerous Cargo, Corpus Christi and La Quinta Ship Channels, Corpus
Christi, TX.'' In the NPRM (90 FR 60053) we stated why we issued the
NPRM and invited comments on our proposed regulatory action.
Under section 46 U.S.C. 70051 and 46 U.S.C. 70124, the Sector
Commander, Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi has determined vessels
carrying CDC within the Captain of the Port Corpus Christi Zone are
potential targets of terrorist attacks, or potential launch platforms
for terrorist attacks on other vessels, waterfront facilities, and
adjacent population centers. The purpose of this rule is to safeguard
the vessels, the public, and the surrounding area from sabotage or
other subversive acts, accidents, or other events of a similar nature.
III. Discussion of Comments and the Rule
During the comment period that ended January 22, 2026, we received
no comments. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule
from the proposed rule in the NPRM.
This rule establishes a new security zone regulation for vessels
carrying CDC while transiting in the Corpus Christi and La Quinta
Shipping, or when moored at a facility and loading or unloading. The
rule prohibits persons and vessels from entry into the security zone
during limited times when activated, unless authorized by the Captain
of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a designated
representative.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses
based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders.
A. Impact on Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than
50,000. Section 605 of the RFA allows an agency to certify a rule, in
lieu of preparing an analysis, if the rulemaking is not expected to
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
The Coast Guard certifies that, although some small entities may
intend to transit the security zone above, this rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
This rule will impact a small, designated area of 500-yards around a
moving vessel in the Corpus Christi or La Quinta Shipping Channels over
a period of six hours or less. Most vessels will be able to move around
the security zone and therefore the impediment to the movement of other
vessels will be minimal. Moreover, the rule allows other vessels to
seek permission from the COTP to enter the zone.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this rule will affect your
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have
questions, contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
Small businesses may send comments to the Small Business and
Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small
Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-
734-3247).
B. Collection of Information
This rule would not call for a new collection of information under
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132, Federalism,
and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental
federalism principles and preemption requirements described in that
Order.
Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it does not have a substantial direct effect on
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
As required by The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C.
1531-1538), the Coast Guard certifies that this rule will not result in
an annual expenditure of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted for inflation)
by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector.
E. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security
Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, and
Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), which guide the Coast
Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined that this action is one of
a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the human environment.
This rule is a security zone around vessels laden with CDC as they
transit through the Corpus Christi or La Quinta Shipping Channels. It
is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A
Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is
available in the docket. For instructions on locating the docket, see
the ADDRESSES section of this preamble.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends
33 CFR part 165 as follows:
[[Page 31362]]
PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1,
6.04-6, and 160.5; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.848 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.848 Security Zones; Vessels Carrying Dangerous Cargo,
Corpus Christi and La Quinta Ship Channels, Corpus Christi, TX.
(a) Location. The following area is a security zone: All waters
within the Corpus Christi or La Quinta Shipping Channel, from surface
to bottom, encompassing a 500-yard radius around vessels loaded with
certain dangerous cargo.
(b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain,
petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a
Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the
Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) in the enforcement of
the security zone.
Certain dangerous cargo or CDC means a material defined as CDC in
33 CFR 160.202.
(c) Regulations. (1) No vessel may approach within 500 yards of a
passenger vessel or vessel carrying a CDC within the Captain of the
Port Corpus Christi zone, unless traveling at the minimum speed
necessary to navigate safely.
(2) Under the general security zone regulations in subpart D of
this part, no vessel or person may approach within 100 yards of a
vessel carrying a CDC within the Corpus Christi or La Quinta Ship
Channels, unless authorized by the COTP Sector Corpus Christi or his or
her designated representative.
(3) Persons or vessels desiring to enter or pass through the zone
must request permission from the COTP Sector Corpus Christi on VHF-FM
channel 16 or by telephone at 1-800-874-2143. If permission is granted,
all persons and vessels must comply with all lawful orders and
directions of the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.
(d) Enforcement. When this security zone is activated for vessels
carrying CDC within the location above, the COTP or a designated
representative will provide notice to the public of the specific dates,
times, and vessel names through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs) or
Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) of the enforcement times
and dates for this security zone. The COTP may also enlist the aid and
cooperation of any Federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement
agency to assist in the enforcement of the regulation.
T.H. Bertheau,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2026-10492 Filed 5-26-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 27, 2026.
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