Panoramic: Automotive and Mobility 2025
Deepwater Ports
Our deepwater ports team works with leading companies in the energy and transportation sectors to guide proposed projects through obtaining critical regulatory approvals. We have advised on multiple deepwater port projects, including the only two projects to receive Maritime Administration licenses in the past fifteen years. We have deep knowledge of all aspects of the deepwater port approval process, including application submission, environmental review, public and agency comments, and licensing.
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We have significant experience helping clients navigate every step of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Deepwater Port Act (DWPA) licensing process, from pre-application strategy to post-license implementation. We also advise on LNG projects before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). With our deep sector knowledge and cross-practice regulatory capabilities, we are uniquely situated to meet a project’s needs and advance business objectives in a heavily regulated and politically sensitive environment, particularly as energy demand increases and U.S. policy shifts to prioritize domestic energy production and export to the global market.
We know MARAD and deepwater ports
Hogan Lovells has a leading deepwater ports practice and has been counsel of record on five deepwater port projects, including the first approved export LNG project to receive a MARAD license as well as the first export crude oil project to receive a license since the LOOP. Our practitioners handle the most complex and strategically important issues impacting proposed projects and have a genuine understanding of the legal needs and business goals of such projects, as well as significant experience dealing with the related environmental and regulatory review and approval processes and potential litigation challenges.
Collaborative cross-practice approach
Our Transportation, Environment and Natural Resources, and Energy teams routinely handle matters regulated by various federal, state and local agencies involved in the deepwater port application process, including MARAD, FERC, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Our lawyers are ideally positioned to manage the regulatory, environmental and energy issues associated with a deepwater port project or a FERC LNG terminal. We also routinely collaborate with our corporate, finance, international trade/CFIUS, and litigation colleagues to help meet evolving commercial needs.
Our capabilities at a glance
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Judicial review wins
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Ex-government policy advisors
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Pieces of legislation changed
Hear from our clients and industry leaders
The whole team is super smart. They are all really easy to work with and then know our business inside out. They come to us proactively with issues and are incredibly responsive.
Chambers & Partners, UK Guide, 2025
An intellectually brilliant and commercially astute public law team. One of the very best in the city.
Chambers & Partners UK 2025
Hogan Lovells has a high capability in solving complex issues that involve both legal and technical perspectives.
Chambers & Partners, Germany, 2025
The lawyers are just experts. They are there when you need them and happy to entertain all my questions. They understand the wider context and the politics and sensitivities of it.
Chambers & Partners, UK 2025
Representative experience
Advising leading U.S. energy company in securing MARAD deepwater port license to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. – the first offshore LNG export project in the U.S.
Advising leading U.S. energy company in securing federal deepwater port license for crude oil export project – the first crude oil export deepwater port license since the LOOP’s MARAD license was issued in 1977.
Advising leading energy companies in federal and state permitting efforts for multiple deepwater port projects, including offshore LNG terminals in the Gulf region.
Representing LNG terminal developer in obtaining authorization to site, construct, and operate an LNG export terminal.
Representing multiple interstate pipelines in obtaining permitting for numerous pipeline expansion projects, including those serving LNG terminals.
Representing deepwater port energy projects before federal Circuit Courts of Appeals on permits and license challenges.
Advising permitting applicants and potential applicants in various phases of LNG project development, including FERC regulation.
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