USA OPA90 COFR Guarantees
A mandatory requirement to access U.S. Waters. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), every vessel entering U.S. waters must prove it can meet the cost of pollution response and cleanup.
The Challenge
For shipowners and operators, OPA 90 compliance can feel complex and unforgiving.
Get it wrong, and the consequences can be severe:
- Entry delays or port refusals while COFR status is verified
- Fines or detentions for incomplete or inaccurate filings
- Exposure to uninsured liabilities in the event of an incident
- Reputational damage with charterers and regulators
Every day without a valid COFR is a day your vessel isn’t earning.
The Solution
ShorelineHudson simplifies your compliance.
We manage your COFR application, issue your guaranty, and manage your certification renewals under one roof, ensuring every vessel in your fleet meets U.S. federal and state financial responsibility laws.
Our guarantees are issued through Maritime Insurance Solutions Limited (MISL), a U.S. Coast Guard–approved guarantor managed by Shoreline Ltd under the ShorelineHudson brand.
We combine regulatory approval with commercial understanding, because we know that every hour a vessel sits idle costs money.
Why Choose ShorelineHudson
- Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard – COFR guaranties issued by MISL, compliant with USC 33 CFR Part 138 and recognized through the USCG’s E-COFR system.
- Streamlined Administration – From application to renewal, documentation is handled electronically and verified in real time by the NPFC.
- End-to-End Coverage – Federal COFRs, state guarantees (California, Alaska), and QI services all managed together for consistency and business continuity.
- No-Cost Agent of Service – We handle CG-5585 filings and coordinate directly with the USCG on your behalf.
Beyond the Certificate
When you partner with ShorelineHudson, you’re not just buying compliance, you’re buying business continuity.
We make sure your COFRs, state filings, and associated documents stay in force, up to date, and visible to regulators.
And when ownership changes, fleets restructure, or new vessels are delivered, we manage every update seamlessly.
Our support extends across:
- Federal COFR Guarantees (OPA 90 / CERCLA)
- State COFRs – California and Alaska
- International Carrier Bonds – for cargo and passenger entry
Together, these solutions keep your fleet trading freely and confidently in U.S. waters.
Your Guide Through the Regulations
With decades of experience as a U.S. OPA 90 specialist, ShorelineHudson serves as both guarantor and expert advisor.
We help you determine which entity should apply for the COFR, advise how to bridge ownership and operator relationships, and how to stay ahead of U.S. regulatory changes.
Our role is to give you peace of mind, so you can focus on your voyage, not your paperwork compliance.
Technical OPA90 COFR
A Certificate of Financial Responsibility (COFR) is issued by the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC) confirming that a vessel operator has the financial means to meet statutory cleanup and liability costs following an oil pollution incident in U.S. waters.
COFRs are verified electronically through the USCG E-COFR system, no paper certificates are carried onboard.
Under USC 33 CFR Part 138, COFRs are required for:
- All self-propelled vessels over 300 gross tons, and
Any commercial vessel of any size engaged in lightering or transshipping oil within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
This includes calls at U.S. territories such as Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
COFR guaranties are issued by Maritime Insurance Solutions Limited (MISL), a USCG-approved guarantor managed by Shoreline Ltd under the ShorelineHudson unified brand.
The guaranty satisfies the U.S. Coast Guard’s requirement that the vessel operator can meet liabilities imposed by:
- The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), and
- The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
Coverage includes oil spill removal costs, natural resource damages, and third-party claims in the event of the non-payment of the operator’s underlying P&I insurance.
- Provide vessel details (name, IMO, GT, type, year built, class, owner/operator).
- Supply supporting documents:
- Letter of Authority (LOA) authorizing ShorelineHudson to file CG-5585;
- Bridging Letter (if operator ≠ registered owner);
- Evidence of pollution liability insurance from an IG P&I Club or approved insurer;
- IACS class confirmation.
- Review and sign quotation issued by MISL and remit premium.
- MISL issues the guaranty; USCG publishes the vessel’s COFR in the E-COFR portal.
The USCG may take up to 21 days to process and verify a new COFR.
ShorelineHudson works proactively with the NPFC to expedite approvals for urgent port entries or new deliveries.
No. Federal COFRs issued under OPA 90 do not replace state-level requirements.
Separate financial responsibility obligations apply in California and Alaska.
ShorelineHudson handles these applications together with your Federal COFR to ensure seamless compliance.
ShorelineHudson coordinates all required updates with the USCG NPFC, ensuring continuous validity of your COFR.
All active COFRs are visible in the USCG E-COFR portal.
No, renewals require re-confirmation of insurance, ownership, and operator details.
ShorelineHudson aligns renewal cycles with your fleet’s insurance and compliance schedules for efficiency.
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What makes ShorelineHudson different?
- Approved U.S. Guarantor (MISL) – recognized by the USCG.
- Integrated Services – Federal, state, and QI services handled together.
- No-Cost Agent of Service – We manage filings and renewals for you.
- Trusted by Global Operators – Proven reliability across thousands of active COFRs.
