No problem.
To run such a ship, you’d need to do the following if you’re going to carry cargo from any US port TO any US port. I’m sure other nations have similar requirements, so check the
ports you’re going to carry to/from, this will tell you what certifications you’re going to need. In fact, you may need more than these certifications and licenses if you’re going to carry from a US port to a foreign port, these are the minimums for US-to-US
ports:
1. You've got to get USCG
documentation as a cargo carrier, in addition to the USCG passenger
certification, this is called a COI, for Certificate Of
Inspection.
The USCG Vessel
Documentation Center for documentation as a cargo-carrying vessel is:
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Deputy-for-Operations-Policy-and-Capabilities-DCO-D/National-Vessel-Documentation-Center/ .
2. You've also got to get permits and register with the PUC in any State you’re going to
dock in as an ocean cargo carrier. Although they have different contact addresses, you can often find them at:
https://puc.statename.gov/contact
3. You've also got to get permits and register with your local State Harbors Division and satisfy their regulatory regime for shippers. Oh yeah, and talk them into leasing you a
dock space to load and unload at, for which you'll need
insurance, a fence (probably), night
lighting, a building housing an office, waiting area for passengers, and so on (probably).
4. You've got to set up as a business in the US, either a corporation or an LLC, get an Excise Tax
license, and find someone to run it.
This is important not only because you NEED someone to run it, but primarily because you need someone to take personal responsibility, ie sign their name as "responsible person" for things like
insurance, contracts for cargo carriage, dock
lease agreement, and so on.
5. You need #1, because without it, you’ll never find someone who will insure you as both a cargo carrier, and a passenger carrier. Numbers 2 and 3 will require proof of insurance, possibly even before issuing you any permits.
6. Some people considering new age
shipping companies think they can "run it off the beach". Whose beach? Will the local Land And Natural Resources Department (or whatever it’s name is in the State you’re landing in) let you load off a beach? Will your insurance? Will the Coast Guard? The PUC? Harbors Division of that State? Non-profit conservation agencies and citizen's groups? You've got a lot of ducks to get into a line here.
7. In almost all places, you'll find there's a strong Longshoreman's Union, and you can't load or unload your ship yourself. Period. Better get to know them and negotiate some decent rates and conditions now.
8. Competition and political maneuvering: if you’re going into a
shipping route that’s making money for someone else now, expect them to lobby against you being able to do it too, and possibly to be successful.
If you want a case
history about what can go wrong, read about the Super
Ferry in
Hawaii; they had all the permits, licenses, EIS done and approved, and they got stopped by a dozen surfers on their surfboards, sitting in the entrance to Nawiliwili Harbor on
Kauai.
A State judge ruled against them, saying they needed another EIS, and things went downhill from there. Tied up for nearly two years in
legal actions, they went bankrupt and
sold their ferries.
Oh yeah! You need a ship, too! And watch out for vessels that don’t comply with the Jones Act; you won’t be able to
service ANY US ports from other US ports if you buy one of these.
I'd imagine you're starting to see what a complex, delicate, and long-term task this will be.
But don’t abandon the dream; just get realistic, get tough, get some
funding from a source that believes in your ability to do this, and overcome the obstacles one by one.
With Warm Aloha, Tim