(C) in paragraph (4), by redesignating 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and 
(ii), respectively, and adjusting the margins ac-
cordingly; 
(D) by redesignating paragraph (4) as sub-
paragraph (A) and adjusting the margins ac-
cordingly; 
(E) by inserting after paragraph (3) the 
following: 
‘‘(4) RESTRICTIONS ON MEMBERS.—’’; and 
(F) at the end of paragraph (4), as so des-
ignated, by inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) RESTRICTIONS ON ADDITIONAL MEM-
BERS.—Members appointed under this para-
graph that are not representing Federal agen-
cies— 
‘‘(i) shall remain on the Committee 
for a term of 3 years from the date that 
the member is appointed; and 
‘‘(ii) may not serve more than 2 con-
secutive terms.’’. 
SEC. 103. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY. 
(a) MARITIME ADMINISTRATION DIRECT HIRE AU-
THORITY.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Maritime Administrator 
may appoint, without regard to the provisions of sec-
tions 3309 through 3319 of title 5, United States 
Code, candidates needed for positions within the 
Maritime Administration for which— 
(A) public notice has been given; 
(B) the Administrator has determined that 
a critical hiring need exists; and 
(C) the Administrator has consulted with 
the Director of the Office of Personnel Manage-
ment regarding— 
(i) the positions for which the Admin-
istrator plans to recruit; 
(ii) the quantity of candidates Admin-
istrator is seeking; and 
(iii) the assessment and selection poli-
cies the Administrator plans to utilize. 
(2) DEFINITION OF CRITICAL HIRING NEED.— 
In this subsection, the term ‘‘critical hiring need’’ 
means personnel necessary for the implementation of 
this Act and associated work. 
(b) COAST GUARD DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating may ap-
point, without regard to the provisions of sections 
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3309 through 3319 of title 5, United States Code, 
candidates needed for positions within offices under 
the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy of 
the Coast Guard, for which— 
(A) public notice has been given; 
(B) the Secretary has determined that a 
critical hiring need exists; and 
(C) the Secretary has consulted with the 
Director of the Office of Personnel Management 
regarding— 
(i) the positions for which the Sec-
retary plans to recruit; 
(ii) the quantity of candidates Sec-
retary is seeking; and 
(iii) the assessment and selection poli-
cies the Secretary plans to utilize. 
(2) DEFINITION OF CRITICAL HIRING NEED.— 
In this subsection, the term ‘‘critical hiring need’’ 
means personnel necessary for the implementation of 
this Act and associated work. 
SEC. 104. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. 
(a) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later 
than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Maritime Administrator and the Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall each 
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submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and the 
Maritime Security Board a separate implementation plan 
for carrying out this Act, and the amendments made by 
this Act. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—Each implementation plan required 
under subsection (a) shall include, for each action required 
of the Maritime Administrator and the Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating (as ap-
plicable) in this Act, including the amendments made by 
this Act— 
(1) an identification of all administrative re-
structuring requirements; 
(2) an identification of each office or division 
within the Maritime Administration or Coast Guard 
principally responsible for each relevant section of 
this Act; 
(3) an identification of additional personnel 
needed to sufficiently implement this Act, a hiring 
plan, and a training plan; 
(4) an identification of any barrier (including 
any policy, law, or regulation) to implementation of 
any section of this Act, and recommendations to ad-
dress those barriers; 
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(5) a descriptive implementation timeline, tak-
ing into account the administrative needs of the 
Maritime Administration or the Coast Guard; and 
(6) any additional components determined ap-
propriate by the Maritime Administrator or such 
Secretary to ensure the success of implementation of 
this Act. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 15 days after submit-
ting each implementation plan required under subsection 
(a), the Maritime Administrator and the Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress on the status of that implementation plan required 
under subsection (a). 
(d) BIANNUAL UPDATE.—Not less frequently than 
biannually following the submission of the plans under 
subsection (a) and for 2 years thereafter, the Maritime 
Administrator and the Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress separate reports con-
taining any updates on the implementation of such plans. 
(e) GAO REVIEW.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall— 
(1) not later than 2 years after the date of en-
actment of this Act, and biennially thereafter for 10 
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years, conduct a review of the activities carried out 
in accordance with this Act, and the amendments 
made by this Act; and 
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress the results of each review. 
SEC. 105. FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION REPORT ON 
VESSELS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Maritime Commis-
sion shall annually submit a report to the Maritime Secu-
rity Board and the appropriate committees of Congress 
evaluating the competitiveness of vessels of the United 
States in foreign commerce. The Maritime Security Board 
shall utilize the findings of such report to inform the Na-
tional Maritime Strategy under section 50114 of title 46, 
United States Code, and other activities of the Board. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report shall include— 
(1) metrics concerning carriage of foreign com-
merce on vessels of the United States; 
(2) information about the price parity of car-
riage of foreign commerce on vessels of the United 
States versus foreign vessels (as defined in section 
110 of title 46, United States Code) by market; 
(3) identification of markets of opportunity for 
the United States to compete in foreign commerce 
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‘‘(18) merchant mariner credentialing mod-
ernization, as authorized under section 631 of the 
SHIPS for America Act of 2024.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 505 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘50505. Apportionment of the Maritime Security Trust Fund.’’. 
SEC. 202. REGULAR TONNAGE TAXES; PRESIDENTIAL SUS-
PENSION OF TONNAGE TAXES AND LIGHT 
MONEY. 
(a) REGULAR TONNAGE TAXES.—Section 60301(b) 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘, for fiscal years 2006 through 2010, and 6 cents per 
ton, not to exceed a total of 30 cents per ton per year, 
for each fiscal year thereafter,’’. 
(b) PRESIDENTIAL SUSPENSION OF TONNAGE TAXES 
AND LIGHT MONEY.—Section 60304 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 60304. Presidential suspension of tonnage taxes 
and light money 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), if the President is satisfied that the government of 
a foreign country does not impose discriminating or coun-
tervailing duties to the disadvantage of the United States, 
the President may suspend the imposition of special ton-
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nage taxes and light money under sections 60302 and 
60303 of this title on vessels of that country. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to 
any vessel that— 
‘‘(1) is owned or operated by a foreign entity of 
concern (as that term is defined in section 4 of the 
SHIPS for America Act of 2024); 
‘‘(2) is a vessel registered under a registry of a 
foreign country of concern (as that term is defined 
in section 4 of the SHIPS for America Act of 2024); 
or 
‘‘(3) was a vessel registered under a registry of 
a foreign country of concern (as that term is defined 
in section 4 of the SHIPS for America Act of 2024) 
at any time during the 3 years preceding the date 
of the determination of the application of subsection 
(a).’’. 
TITLE III—SEALIFT CAPABILITY 
SEC. 301. SEALIFT CAPABILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle V of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘PART H—STRATEGIC SEALIFT 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘59101. Objectives and policy. 
‘‘59102. Procurement, maintenance, and operation. 
‘‘59103. Sealift prioritization. 
‘‘59104. International agreements. 
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‘‘59105. Briefing on shipbuilding capacity. 
‘‘59106. Briefing on privileging fleet. 
‘‘59107. Report on privilege. 
‘‘59108. Report on requirements for sealift force deployment. 
‘‘59109. Assessment on marine infrastructure readiness. 
‘‘§ 59101. Objectives and policy 
‘‘(a) OBJECTIVES.—It is necessary for the national 
defense and economic security of the United States that 
the United States have a fleet of vessels of the United 
States capable of providing and supporting strategic sea-
lift— 
‘‘(1) sufficient to meet defense deployment and 
essential economic activities for the United States in 
times of crisis or war; 
‘‘(2) sufficient to respond unilaterally to na-
tional security threats in geographic areas not cov-
ered by alliance commitments and ensure economic 
security resilience for United States trade; and 
‘‘(3) built, operated, and maintained during 
peace, crisis, and war primarily in the United States 
to protect and ensure national security resiliency 
and avoid foreign coercion of critical supply chains. 
‘‘(b) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States 
to encourage and aid the development and maintenance 
of a fleet of vessels of the United States with strategic 
sealift capabilities satisfying the objectives described in 
subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) STRATEGY REQUIRED.— 
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‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Maritime Security 
Board shall annually develop a strategy to leverage 
the financial assistance programs established under 
part C of this subtitle to expand the fleet of vessels 
of the United States to meet the minimum number 
of vessels needed to accomplish the objectives de-
scribed under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) STRATEGY
COMPONENTS.—The strategy 
developed by the Maritime Security Board shall in-
clude— 
‘‘(A) annual goals for the number of ves-
sels that will be brought into the fleet of vessels 
of the United States capable of providing stra-
tegic sealift utilizing the Maritime Security 
Fleet under chapter 531 of this title, the Cable 
Security Fleet under chapter 532 of this title, 
the Tanker Security Fleet under chapter 534 of 
this title, the Strategic Commercial Fleet under 
chapter 536 of this title, and the Shipbuilding 
Financial Incentives program, consistent with 
the most recent Mobility Capability Require-
ments Study produced by United States Trans-
portation Command; and 
‘‘(B) an assessment of domestic ship-
building capacity and a strategy to increase the 
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capacity of the domestic shipbuilding industry 
utilizing the Shipbuilding Financial Incentives 
program. 
‘‘(3) NATIONAL
MARITIME
STRATEGY.—The 
strategy developed by the Maritime Security Board 
under paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the Na-
tional Maritime Strategy developed under section 
50114. 
‘‘(d) REPORT REQUIRED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon completion, the Mari-
time Security Board shall transmit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress a summary of the 
strategy developed under subsection (c), with a clas-
sified annex as necessary. 
‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—In this part, the term ‘ap-
propriate committees of Congress’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 4 of the SHIPS for Amer-
ica Act of 2024. 
‘‘§ 59102. Procurement, maintenance, and operation 
‘‘(a) STATEMENT OF POLICY.—The Maritime Admin-
istrator, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall build, acquire, 
maintain, coordinate, support, and operate a sufficient 
and privileged fleet of vessels of the United States with 
commercial and military sealift capability. 
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‘‘(b) SUPPLEMENTAL CAPABILITY.—In developing 
sealift capability under this part, the Secretary of Trans-
portation and the Secretary of Defense shall continue to 
operate a sufficient Maritime Security Fleet under chapter 
531 of this title, a Cable Security Fleet under chapter 532 
of this title, a Tanker Security Fleet under chapter 534 
of this title, the Strategic Commercial Fleet under chapter 
536 of this title, a Military Sealift Command of the De-
partment of the Navy, and a Ready Reserve Force compo-
nent of the National Defense Reserve Fleet under section 
57100 of this title, to provide capacity and resiliency for 
unilateral United States strategic sealift in peace, crisis, 
and war. 
‘‘(c) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—No court shall have juris-
diction to review decisions made by the Maritime Adminis-
trator, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of 
Homeland Security with respect to this section. 
‘‘§ 59103. Sealift prioritization 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In building, acquiring, maintain-
ing, coordinating, supporting, and operating a fleet of ves-
sels capable of providing sealift capacity during wartime 
and crisis, the Maritime Administrator, in coordination 
with the Secretary of Defense, shall ensure the availability 
of vessels, in the following order of priority: 
‘‘(1) Commercial vessels of the United States. 
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‘‘(3) support the maritime industries of both 
the United States and treaty allies and strategic 
partners. 
‘‘(b) REPORT.—Not later than March 1, 2025, the 
Maritime Administrator, in coordination with the Sec-
retary of State and the Secretary of Defense, shall provide 
to Congress an evaluation of the status of agreements de-
scribed in subsection (a), including— 
‘‘(1) an assessment of international agreements 
described in such subsection and recommendations 
for updating such agreements to reflect the global 
security environment; and 
‘‘(2) an assessment of the extent to which such 
international agreements include the vessels owned 
by citizens of these treaty allies and strategic part-
ners. 
‘‘§ 59105. Briefing on shipbuilding capacity 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2025, 
the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of De-
fense shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress 
on the capacity of the United States shipbuilding industry 
to meet peacetime and wartime requirements to build, 
maintain, and repair a fleet of vessels of the United States 
capable of providing strategic sealift. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In briefing the appropriate 
committees of Congress under subsection (a), the 
Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of 
Defense shall include an assessment and rec-
ommendations for improving the critical shipbuilding 
infrastructure, workforce recruitment, development, 
and retention, and critical supply chains and critical 
repair parts of the United States, including ways in 
which allies and partners can contribute or share 
best practices. 
‘‘(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Maritime Secu-
rity Advisor shall, in addition to the assessment 
under paragraph (1), provide an assessment on the 
effects of the Goldwater-Nichols Department of De-
fense Reorganization Act of 1986 (Public Law 99– 
433) and how implementation of such Act may af-
fect shipbuilding processes of the Department of the 
Navy. 
‘‘§ 59106. Briefing on privileging fleet 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2025, 
the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, 
the Secretary of Commerce, and the Federal Maritime 
Commission, shall brief the appropriate committees of 
Congress on available options for establishing privileges 
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for vessels of the United States operating in foreign com-
merce. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—In briefing Congress under sub-
section (a), the Secretary of Transportation shall provide 
recommendations for potential incentives for civil, com-
mercial, and government entities, including allies and 
partners, to ship goods on vessels of the United States. 
‘‘§ 59107. Report on privilege 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2025, 
the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Commerce, the Chair of the Federal Maritime 
Commission, and the Director of the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget, shall submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress a report including ways to ensure vessels 
of the United States operating in foreign commerce are 
privileged in regulation, taxation, fees, insurance, and pol-
icy compared to foreign vessels conducting trade with a 
United States domiciled entity, while remaining consistent 
with the international obligations of the United States. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—In submitting the report under 
subsection (a), the Secretary of Transportation shall in-
clude options for regulating trade with foreign vessels in 
order to sustain and grow the Maritime Security Fleet 
under chapter 531 of this title, the Cable Security Fleet 
under chapter 532 of this title, the Tanker Security Fleet 
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under chapter 534 of this title, the Strategic Commercial 
Fleet under chapter 536 of this title, and other vessels 
of the United States operating in foreign commerce. 
‘‘§ 59108. Report on requirements for sealift force de-
ployment 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2025, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report— 
‘‘(1) on the military sealift requirements of the 
Armed Forces of the United States; and 
‘‘(2) in consultation with the Secretary of 
Transportation, containing recommendations for how 
to maintain, improve, or expand the Maritime Secu-
rity Fleet under chapter 531 of this title, the Cable 
Security Fleet under chapter 532 of this title, the 
Tanker Security Fleet under chapter 534 of this 
title, the Strategic Commercial Fleet under chapter 
536 of this title, and the Ready Reserve Force com-
ponent of the National Defense Reserve Fleet under 
section 57100 of this title, to meet the military sea-
lift needs of the United States. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The report under subsection (a) 
shall include an assessment of, and recommendations for 
how to enable, making the Ready Reserve Force compo-
nent of the National Defense Reserve Fleet under section 
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57100 of this title active in trade through a public-private 
partnership that enables financing, building, manning, op-
erating, maintaining, and repairing the vessels of such 
Fleet, while guaranteeing assured effective control and 
surge capacity in times of crisis or war. 
‘‘§ 59109. Assessment on marine infrastructure readi-
ness 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2026, 
and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretaries of Defense, 
Homeland Security, Commerce, and Transportation shall 
provide the appropriate committees of Congress an assess-
ment on— 
‘‘(1) the readiness and sufficiency of the marine 
infrastructure, shipping industry, and shipbuilding 
industry of the United States, and vessels of the 
United States, to meet the economic and national se-
curity strategic sealift needs of the United States 
and operate in a contested environment; 
‘‘(2) the vulnerability of the economy of the 
United States to coercion or control from strategic 
competitors of the United States through the ocean- 
going trades; and 
‘‘(3)(A) critical infrastructure and cybersecurity 
vulnerabilities in— 
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‘‘(i) the maritime transportation system of 
the United States, including ports, shipyards, 
repair yards, inland waterways, and vessels of 
the United States; and 
‘‘(ii) foreign investment in marine infra-
structure; and 
‘‘(B) how to reduce the risks of such 
vulnerabilities. 
‘‘(b) SECRETARY OF STATE.—Not later than March 
1, 2026, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of 
State shall provide the appropriate committees of Con-
gress an assessment on— 
‘‘(1) arrangements and agreements between the 
United States and countries that are defense treaty 
allies for access to the global marine transportation 
infrastructure, such as ports, harbors, and water-
ways; and 
‘‘(2) assurances, arrangements, and agreements 
between the United States and countries that are 
defense treaty allies to augment United States sea-
lift capabilities in times of crisis and war.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of chapters 
for subtitle V of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘PART H—STRATEGIC SEALIFT’’. 
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SEC. 302. NATIONAL FREIGHT STRATEGIC PLAN. 
Section 70102(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (16), by striking ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (17), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(18) consideration of United States strategic 
sealift objectives and strategies established under 
section 59101 of title 46; and 
‘‘(19) consideration of maritime networks in 
multimodal freight corridors.’’. 
SEC. 303. FOREIGN SHIPPING PRACTICES; CONTROLLED 
CARRIERS. 
(a) 
FOREIGN
SHIPPING
PRACTICES.—Section 
42301(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘or pas-
sengers’’ after ‘‘transportation of cargo’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (5), by inserting ‘‘or pas-
sengers’’ after ‘‘carriage of cargo’’. 
(b) CONTROLLED CARRIERS.—Chapter 407 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 40701— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
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(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘or’’ 
at the end; 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) arrange or provide passenger transpor-
tation at a fare that is below a just and reasonable 
level.’’; 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘rule, or 
regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘rule, regulation, or 
fare’’; 
(C) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘rule, or 
regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘rule, regulation, or 
fare’’; and 
(D) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘rule, or 
regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘rule, regulation, or 
fare’’; 
(2) in section 40702(b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘rule, or regulation’’ and inserting 
‘‘rule, regulation, or fare’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘rate or 
charge’’ and inserting ‘‘rate, charge, or fare’’; 
and 
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(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘rule, or 
regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘rule, regulation, or 
fare’’; 
(3) in section 40703, by striking ‘‘a rate, 
charge,’’ and inserting ‘‘a rate, fare, charge,’’; and 
(4) in section 40704— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘rule, or 
regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘rule, regulation, or 
fare’’; 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘rule, or 
regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘rule, regulation, or 
fare’’; 
(C) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘rule, or 
regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘rule, regulation, or 
fare’’ each place the term appears; 
(D) in subsection (d)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘rule, 
or regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘rule, regula-
tion, or fare’’ each place the term appears; 
and 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking 
‘‘rule, or regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘rule, 
regulation, or fare’’ each place the term 
appears; and 
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(E) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘rule, or 
regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘rule, regulation, or 
fare’’ each place the term appears. 
TITLE 
IV—VESSELS 
OF 
THE 
UNITED STATES IN INTER-
NATIONAL COMMERCE 
Subtitle A—Strategic Sealift 
Programs 
SEC. 401. STRATEGIC COMMERCIAL FLEET. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Part C of subtitle V of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 
535 the following: 
‘‘CHAPTER 536—STRATEGIC COMMERCIAL 
FLEET 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘53601. Definitions. 
‘‘53602. Establishment of Strategic Commercial Fleet. 
‘‘53603. Operating agreements. 
‘‘53604. Payments. 
‘‘53605. National security requirements. 
‘‘53606. Regulations. 
‘‘§ 53601. Definitions 
‘‘In this chapter: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Adminis-
trator’ means the Maritime Administrator. 
‘‘(2) APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CON-
GRESS.—The term ‘appropriate committees of Con-
gress’ means— 
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‘‘(A) the Committee on Armed Services, 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation, and the Committee on Appro-
priations of the Senate; and 
‘‘(B) the Committee on Armed Services, 
the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure, and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(3) COASTWISE TRADE.—The term ‘coastwise 
trade’ means commerce or trade that is subject to 
the requirements of section 55102. 
‘‘(4) COVERED ENTITY.—The term ‘covered en-
tity’ means— 
‘‘(A) any owner or operator of a vessel eli-
gible under section 53602(d); or 
‘‘(B) a bid team consisting of— 
‘‘(i) an entity eligible under subpara-
graph (A); 
‘‘(ii) any shipyard of the United 
States with the ability, experience, finan-
cial resources, and other qualifications nec-
essary for the construction or repair of a 
vessel eligible for inclusion in the Strategic 
Commercial Fleet; and 
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‘‘(iii) any other legal entity that is not 
a foreign entity of concern. 
‘‘(5) FLEET.—The term ‘Fleet’ means the Stra-
tegic Commercial Fleet established under section 
53602. 
‘‘(6) FOREIGN COMMERCE.—The term ‘foreign 
commerce’ means— 
‘‘(A) commerce or trade between the 
United States, its territories or possessions, or 
the District of Columbia, and a foreign country; 
and 
‘‘(B) commerce or trade between foreign 
countries. 
‘‘(7) FOREIGN COUNTRY OF CONCERN; FOREIGN 
ENTITY OF CONCERN.—The terms ‘foreign country 
of concern’ and ‘foreign entity of concern’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 4 of the 
SHIPS for America Act of 2024. 
‘‘(8) QUALIFIED FOREIGN BUILT VESSEL.—The 
term ‘qualified foreign built vessel’— 
‘‘(A) means a vessel that— 
‘‘(i) is not more than 14 years of age; 
and 
‘‘(ii) 
was 
constructed 
(or 
recon-
structed) outside the United States; and 
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‘‘(B) does not include a vessel that, prior 
to entry into the Fleet— 
‘‘(i) was owned or operated by a for-
eign entity of concern; 
‘‘(ii) is a vessel of a foreign country of 
concern; 
‘‘(iii) was constructed by a shipyard 
that was owned or operated by a foreign 
entity of concern or located in a foreign 
country of concern; or 
‘‘(iv) was registered as a vessel of a 
foreign country of concern at any time 
during the 3 years prior to entry into the 
Fleet. 
‘‘(9) UNITED
STATES
BUILT
VESSEL.—The 
term ‘United States built vessel’ means a vessel that 
is constructed in the United States (and, if recon-
structed, reconstructed in the United States). 
‘‘(10) UNITED
STATES
CITIZEN
TRUST.—The 
term ‘United States citizen trust’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 53201. 
‘‘§ 53602. Establishment of Strategic Commercial 
Fleet 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish a fleet, 
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to be known as the ‘Strategic Commercial Fleet’, of active, 
commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned ves-
sels to meet national defense and other security require-
ments and maintain a United States presence in inter-
national commercial shipping. 
‘‘(b) NUMBER
OF VESSELS.—The Administrator 
shall seek to select eligible vessels described in subsection 
(d) for the Fleet through an annual competitive selection 
process in accordance with the annual target number for 
the Fleet recommended by the Maritime Security Board 
under section 50401(b)(2)(B)(i). Through such annual se-
lection process, the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) select for inclusion in the Fleet not fewer 
than 10 vessels in the 12-month period that begins 
on the date that is 2 years after the date of enact-
ment of this section; 
‘‘(2) increase the number of vessels selected for 
inclusion in the Fleet annually such that not later 
than 5 years after such date of enactment, not fewer 
than 20 vessels are selected for such inclusion annu-
ally; and 
‘‘(3) ensure that the total number of vessels in-
cluded in the fleet shall be not more than 250 ves-
sels at any point in time. 
‘‘(c) SOLICITATION; ENTRY INTO FLEET.— 
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‘‘(1) SOLICITATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall solicit applications from covered entities to 
competitively select vessels that are eligible 
under subsection (d) and meet the requirements 
of this subsection for inclusion in the Fleet. 
‘‘(B) 
PUBLIC
SOLICITATION
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—In soliciting applications under sub-
paragraph (A), the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(i) publish a notice in the Federal 
Register, which, at a minimum, identifies 
the requirements for the number of vessels 
as established by the Administrator and 
the Maritime Security Board under sub-
section (b); and 
‘‘(ii) allow applicants not less than 30 
days to submit an application for entry 
into the Fleet. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS.—The Adminis-
trator shall solicit and accept applications in sepa-
rate processes for each of the following: 
‘‘(A) NEWLY CONSTRUCTED VESSELS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—A covered entity 
may submit an application for the Fleet 
that involves the construction of a United 
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States built vessel and operation of such 
vessel as a vessel of the United States in 
foreign commerce. 
‘‘(ii) INTERIM
VESSEL.—An applica-
tion described in clause (i) from a covered 
entity may include a proposal for the use 
of an interim vessel, if such proposal pro-
vides that— 
‘‘(I) the covered entity will oper-
ate a qualified foreign-built vessel as a 
vessel of the United States in foreign 
commerce as part of the Fleet until 
the United States built vessel de-
scribed in such clause enters the 
Fleet, in accordance with the mile-
stones established within the oper-
ating 
agreement 
under 
section 
53603(c)(1); 
‘‘(II) when the United States 
built vessel enters the Fleet or the 
covered entity fails to meet milestones 
established in the operating agree-
ment, the qualified foreign-built vessel 
shall be removed from the Fleet; and 
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‘‘(III) the covered entity may 
then transfer and register the quali-
fied foreign-built vessel under a reg-
istry of any foreign country that is 
not a foreign country of concern. 
‘‘(B) QUALIFIED
FOREIGN-BUILT
VES-
SELS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Through fiscal 
year 2029, a covered entity may submit an 
application for the Fleet that involves the 
operation of a qualified foreign-built vessel 
as a vessel of the United States in foreign 
commerce. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—After fiscal year 
2029, the Administrator may not enter 
into a new agreement or renew an existing 
agreement to bring a qualified foreign-built 
vessel into the Fleet unless— 
‘‘(I) the vessel is operating as an 
interim vessel under subparagraph 
(A)(ii); or 
‘‘(II) the Administrator and Sec-
retary of Defense, in consultation with 
the Maritime Security Board, jointly 
certify to the appropriate committees 
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of Congress that adding additional 
qualified foreign-built vessels to the 
Fleet is necessary for the national se-
curity of the United States until re-
placed by a newly constructed vessel 
to meet the schedule under subsection 
(b). 
‘‘(3) PROCEDURE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A covered entity shall 
submit an eligible application under paragraph 
(2) as at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such information as the Administrator 
may require. Such application shall include— 
‘‘(i) a proposed annual operating sup-
port payment, which may cover the dif-
ference in operating costs associated with 
operating a vessel of the United States as 
compared to a fair and reasonable estimate 
of the cost of operating that type of vessel 
under the laws of a foreign country; 
‘‘(ii) in the case of an application de-
scribed in paragraph (2)(A), a proposed 
annual capital support payment, which 
may cover the difference in capital costs 
associated with constructing a vessel in the 
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United States as compared to a fair and 
reasonable estimate of the cost of the con-
struction of that type of vessel in a foreign 
shipyard; and 
‘‘(iii) any other support payments 
needed to make a vessel commercially via-
ble in foreign commerce. 
‘‘(B) BID TEAM.—In the case of an eligible 
entity that is a bid team described in section 
53601(3)(B), such team shall jointly submit an 
application under this subsection for inclusion 
in the Fleet. 
‘‘(4) ACCEPTANCE INTO FLEET.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall evaluate eligible applications submitted 
under this subsection in order to, in accordance 
with this paragraph, select applications that 
meet the requirements of this section for ac-
ceptance in the Fleet. 
‘‘(B) CITIZENSHIP
PREFERENCE.—In se-
lecting applications to meet the requirements of 
this section, the Administrator shall ensure, to 
the extent sufficient qualified applications are 
received under this subsection, that not less 
than 25 percent of vessels selected for the Fleet 
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shall be owned or operated by a covered entity 
that is, or a bid team led by, a citizen of the 
United States under section 50501. 
‘‘(C) PRIORITY.—In evaluating eligible ap-
plications for selection in the Fleet and subject 
to subparagraph (B), the Administrator shall 
give priority to— 
‘‘(i) applications that represent the 
best value to the Federal Government; and 
‘‘(ii) applications for vessels, or for 
vessels providing services, that are deter-
mined by the Maritime Security Board to 
have capabilities critical to the national 
and economic security of the United 
States. 
‘‘(D) RELATIONSHIP TO THE TANKER SE-
CURITY
FLEET.—If the most recent Mobility 
Capability Requirements Study produced by 
United States Transportation Command identi-
fies a need for a fleet of tanker vessels that are 
vessels of the United States that exceeds the 
size of the Tanker Security Fleet established 
under chapter 534 of this title, the Adminis-
trator, in coordination with the Maritime Secu-
rity Board, may select for inclusion in the Fleet 
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a number of tanker vessels that is consistent 
with the requirements of the Study. 
‘‘(E) CONSIDERATIONS FOR REVIEW.—In 
evaluating eligible applications submitted under 
this subsection for selection in the Fleet, the 
Administrator shall— 
‘‘(i) ensure that any vessel so selected 
will be suitable for use by the United 
States for national defense or military pur-
poses in time of war or national emer-
gency; 
‘‘(ii) ensure that any vessel so selected 
will aid in the promotion and development 
of foreign commerce; 
‘‘(iii) confirm that— 
‘‘(I) the proposed use of the ves-
sel in commercial service is reason-
able; and 
‘‘(II) the owner or operator of 
the vessel possesses the ability, experi-
ence, financial resources, and other 
qualifications necessary for the oper-
ation and maintenance of the vessel; 
‘‘(iv) confirm that a shipyard selected 
to construct a vessel under this section 
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possesses the ability, experience, financial 
resources, equipment, and other qualifica-
tions necessary to properly construct the 
vessel; 
‘‘(v) ensure the price for the construc-
tion (if applicable) and operation of a ves-
sel under this section is fair and reason-
able; 
‘‘(vi) consider whether the covered en-
tity commits to— 
‘‘(I) use equipment, materials, 
and supplies that are produced in the 
United States; and 
‘‘(II) utilize, to the maximum ex-
tent practicable, subcontractors and 
suppliers that are based in the United 
States; 
‘‘(vii) consider whether the covered 
entity commits to repair, repower, and re-
condition a vessel under this section in a 
shipyard of the United States; and 
‘‘(viii) consider whether the covered 
entity has made commitments to worker 
and 
community 
investment, 
including 
through— 
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‘‘(I) programs to expand employ-
ment opportunity for economically dis-
advantaged individuals; or 
‘‘(II) securing commitments from 
regional educational and training enti-
ties and institutions of higher edu-
cation, as defined in section 102 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1002), to provide workforce 
training, including programming for 
training and job placement of eco-
nomically disadvantaged individuals. 
‘‘(5) TIMING.— 
‘‘(A) QUALIFIED
FOREIGN
VESSEL.—Not 
later than 180 days after entering into an oper-
ating agreement under section 53603 with a 
covered entity for inclusion of a qualified for-
eign-built vessel into the Fleet, such vessel shall 
be placed into service as part of the Fleet. 
‘‘(B) NEWLY CONSTRUCTED VESSEL.—Not 
later than 36 months after entering into an op-
erating agreement under section 53603 with a 
covered entity for inclusion of a newly con-
structed United States built vessel described in 
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paragraph (2)(A), such vessel shall be placed 
into service as part of the Fleet. 
‘‘(C) DELAYED ADMISSION.—The Adminis-
trator may delay the entry of a vessel selected 
to participate in the Fleet for— 
‘‘(i) a delay in the construction of 
such vessel; or 
‘‘(ii) difficulty of the owner or oper-
ator of such vessel in recruiting United 
States mariners as required under section 
53603(b)(1)(A). 
‘‘(d) VESSEL ELIGIBILITY.—A vessel is eligible to be 
included in the Fleet if— 
‘‘(1) the vessel— 
‘‘(A) is a vessel of the United States; or 
‘‘(B) is not a vessel of the United States, 
but— 
‘‘(i) the owner of the vessel has dem-
onstrated an intent to have the vessel doc-
umented under chapter 121 of this title if 
it is included in the Fleet; and 
‘‘(ii) at the time an operating agree-
ment is entered into under section 53603, 
the vessel is eligible for documentation 
under chapter 121 of this title; 
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‘‘(2) the vessel is a United States built vessel 
or a qualified foreign-built vessel; 
‘‘(3) the vessel is— 
‘‘(A) a bulk carrier vessel; 
‘‘(B) a tanker vessel; 
‘‘(C) a roll-on/roll-off vessel; 
‘‘(D) a liquefied natural gas tanker vessel; 
‘‘(E) a container vessel; 
‘‘(F) a multi-purpose vessel; 
‘‘(G) a cable vessel (as defined in section 
53201 of this title); 
‘‘(H) a heavy-lift vessel; or 
‘‘(I) any other type of vessel determined 
appropriate by the Administrator, in consulta-
tion with the Maritime Security Board; 
‘‘(4) the vessel is operated (or will be operated) 
in providing transportation in foreign commerce; 
‘‘(5) the vessel meets the requirements of para-
graph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (e); 
‘‘(6) the vessel— 
‘‘(A) is suitable for use by the United 
States for national defense or military purposes 
in time of war or national emergency, as deter-
mined by the Secretary of Defense; 
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‘‘(B) is commercially viable, as determined 
by the Administrator; and 
‘‘(C) has dedicated space for the training 
of— 
‘‘(i) cadets of the Merchant Marine 
Academy consistent with the requirements 
of section 51307(b); 
‘‘(ii) students of a State maritime 
academy, consistent with the requirements 
of section 51507; or 
‘‘(iii) participants in another work-
force training program identified by the 
Administrator; and 
‘‘(7) the vessel will, for the period of an oper-
ating agreement under section 53603 that applies to 
the vessel, meet any other requirement determined 
appropriate by the Administrator. 
‘‘(e) REQUIREMENTS REGARDING CITIZENSHIP OF 
OWNERS, CHARTERERS, AND OPERATORS.— 
‘‘(1) VESSEL OWNED AND OPERATED BY SEC-
TION 50501 CITIZENS.—A vessel meets the require-
ments of this paragraph if, during the period of an 
operating agreement under this chapter that applies 
to the vessel, the vessel will be owned and operated 
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by 1 or more persons that are citizens of the United 
States under section 50501. 
‘‘(2) VESSEL OWNED BY SECTION 50501 CITIZEN 
OR
UNITED
STATES
CITIZEN
TRUST
AND
CHAR-
TERED
TO
DOCUMENTATION
CITIZEN.—A vessel 
meets the requirements of this paragraph if— 
‘‘(A) during the period of an operating 
agreement under this chapter that applies to 
the vessel, the vessel will be— 
‘‘(i) owned by a person that is a cit-
izen of the United States under section 
50501 of this title or that is a United 
States citizen trust; and 
‘‘(ii) demise chartered to a person— 
‘‘(I) that is eligible to document 
the vessel under chapter 121 of this 
title; 
‘‘(II) the chairman of the board 
of directors, chief executive officer, 
and a majority of the members of the 
board of directors of which are citi-
zens of the United States under sec-
tion 50501 of this title, and are ap-
pointed and subjected to removal only 
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upon approval by the Administrator; 
and 
‘‘(III) that certifies to the Ad-
ministrator that there are no treaties, 
statutes, regulations, or other laws 
that would prohibit the covered entity 
for the vessel from performing its ob-
ligations under an operating agree-
ment under this chapter; 
‘‘(B) in the case of a vessel that will be de-
mise chartered to a person that is owned or 
controlled by another person that is not a cit-
izen of the United States under section 50501 
of this title, the other person enters into an 
agreement with the Administrator not to influ-
ence the operation of the vessel in a manner 
that will adversely affect the interests of the 
United States; and 
‘‘(C) the Administrator and the Secretary 
of Defense notify the appropriate committees of 
Congress that they concur with the certification 
required under subparagraph (A)(ii)(III) and 
have reviewed and agree that there are no other 
legal, operational, or other impediments that 
would prohibit the covered entity for the vessel 
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from performing its obligations under an oper-
ating agreement under this chapter. 
‘‘(3) VESSEL OWNED AND OPERATED BY DE-
FENSE CONTRACTOR.—A vessel meets the require-
ments of this paragraph if— 
‘‘(A) during the period of an operating 
agreement under this chapter that applies to 
the vessel, the vessel will be owned and oper-
ated by a person that— 
‘‘(i) is eligible to document a vessel 
under chapter 121 of this title; 
‘‘(ii) 
operates 
or 
manages 
other 
United States-documented vessels for the 
Secretary of Defense, or charters other 
vessels to the Secretary of Defense; 
‘‘(iii) has entered into a special secu-
rity agreement for purposes of this para-
graph with the Secretary of Defense; 
‘‘(iv) makes the certification described 
in paragraph (2)(A)(ii)(III); and 
‘‘(v) in the case of a vessel described 
in paragraph (2)(B), enters into an agree-
ment referred to in that paragraph; and 
‘‘(B) the Administrator and the Secretary 
of Defense notify the appropriate committees of 
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Congress that they concur with the certification 
required under subparagraph (A)(iv), and have 
reviewed and agree that there are no other 
legal, operational, or other impediments that 
would prohibit the covered entity for the vessel 
from performing its obligations under an oper-
ating agreement under this chapter. 
‘‘(4) VESSEL OWNED BY DOCUMENTATION CIT-
IZEN AND CHARTERED TO SECTION 50501 CITIZEN.— 
A vessel meets the requirements of this paragraph if, 
during the period of an operating agreement under 
this chapter that applies to the vessel, the vessel will 
be— 
‘‘(A) owned by a person that is eligible to 
document a vessel under chapter 121; and 
‘‘(B) demise chartered to a person that is 
a citizen of the United States under section 
50501. 
‘‘§ 53603. Operating agreements 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall require, 
as a condition of including any vessel in the Fleet, that 
the covered entity for the vessel enter into an operating 
agreement under this section. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An operating agreement re-
quired under subsection (a) shall require the vessel 
subject to such agreement to meet the following re-
quirements: 
‘‘(A) During the period in which the vessel 
is operating under the agreement— 
‘‘(i) the vessel will be crewed by only 
United States mariners; 
‘‘(ii) the vessel shall be operated with-
in the Fleet exclusively in foreign com-
merce and not in coastwise trade; and 
‘‘(iii) the covered entity will have in 
effect an emergency preparedness agree-
ment described in section 53605 for the 
period of such agreement. 
‘‘(B) Beginning on the first day of the op-
erating agreement, the vessel will be perma-
nently ineligible for a coastwise endorsement 
under section 12112 of this title or to otherwise 
participate in the coastwise trade, even if the 
operating agreement is terminated or not re-
newed. 
‘‘(2) COORDINATION WITH COAST GUARD RE-
GARDING
COASTWISE
TRADE
PROHIBITION.—The 
Administrator shall coordinate with the Secretary of 
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the Department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating to ensure that any vessel that is, or was, cov-
ered by an operating agreement under this chapter 
is permanently ineligible for a coastwise endorse-
ment under section 12112 of this title or to other-
wise participate in the coastwise trade, as required 
under paragraph (1)(B). 
‘‘(c) MILESTONES AND PAYMENTS.—The operating 
agreement shall— 
‘‘(1) prescribe specific milestones for project 
completeness, as agreed upon between the Adminis-
trator and the covered entity; and 
‘‘(2) specify the schedule of operating support 
payments, and as applicable, capital support pay-
ments and other incentives and payments, based on 
completion of such milestones and consistent with 
the eligible application submitted by the covered en-
tity under section 53602(c)(3)(A), as agreed to by 
the Administrator and the covered entity. 
‘‘(d) INCENTIVES.— 
‘‘(1) STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY INCEN-
TIVES.—An operating agreement required under 
subsection (a) may include incentives to support the 
testing or adoption of state of the art technology, in-
cluding artificial intelligence, advanced shipbuilding 
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techniques, automation, modern propulsion systems, 
environmental performance, crew safety, military 
features, and other technologies identified by the 
Maritime Security Board to be relevant in advancing 
the military and economic security of the United 
States. 
‘‘(2) PERFORMANCE
INCENTIVES.—The oper-
ating agreement may include incentive payments for 
eligible entities that exceed the milestones estab-
lished under subsection (c)(1). 
‘‘(e) LENGTH OF OPERATING AGREEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An operating agreement to 
participate in the Fleet shall be for a period of 7 
years. 
‘‘(2) RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A covered entity for a 
vessel participating in the Fleet under an oper-
ating agreement under this section may apply 
to renew such operating agreement. 
‘‘(B) RENEWAL
LIMITATION.—An oper-
ating agreement under this section may be re-
newed not more than 2 times. 
‘‘(3) TERMINATION PAYMENT.— 
‘‘(A) NO-FAULT
TERMINATION
DURING 
CONTRACT.—Subject to subparagraph (B), a 
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covered entity for a vessel operating under an 
operating agreement under this section shall re-
ceive a termination payment if any of the fol-
lowing applies: 
‘‘(i) NO-FAULT
TERMINATION.—Cap-
ital support payments provided to a cov-
ered entity under an operating agreement 
are terminated during a contract term. 
‘‘(ii) NO-FAULT
NON-RENEWAL.—An 
operating agreement is not selected to be 
renewed under paragraph (2). 
‘‘(B) 
ADMINISTRATOR
DETERMINATION 
FOR MATERIAL LACK OF COMPLIANCE.—In any 
case in which the Administrator determines 
under subsection (f) that a covered entity for a 
vessel operating under an operating agreement 
under this section materially fails to comply 
with the terms of the operating agreement and, 
due to such failure to comply, the operating 
agreement is terminated or not selected for re-
newal, the Administrator may determine that 
the covered entity is not entitled to a termi-
nation payment and subparagraph (A) shall not 
apply. 
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‘‘(C) TERMINATION PAYMENT DEFINED.— 
In this paragraph, the term ‘termination pay-
ment’ means a payment in an amount that 
equals 50 percent of— 
‘‘(i) the percentage of the remaining 
useful life of the vessel, calculated using 21 
years as the maximum useful life of the 
vessel; multiplied by 
‘‘(ii) the difference in the cost of con-
structing the vessel in the United States 
and the cost of constructing the vessel in 
a foreign country, to the extent such cost 
difference was not recovered by the covered 
entity through payments received under 
any operating agreement under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(f) TERMINATION BY ADMINISTRATOR FOR LACK OF 
PROGRAM PARTICIPANT COMPLIANCE.—If a covered enti-
ty for a vessel operating under an operating agreement 
under this section materially fails to comply with the 
terms of the operating agreement— 
‘‘(1) the Administrator shall notify the covered 
entity and provide a reasonable opportunity to com-
ply with the operating agreement; and 
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‘‘(2) if the covered entity fails to achieve such 
compliance, the Administrator— 
‘‘(A) shall terminate the operating agree-
ment; 
‘‘(B) shall not renew the operating agree-
ment under subsection (e)(2); and 
‘‘(C) may take steps to recover an amount 
equal to the payments and incentives provided 
to the covered entity under this chapter. 
‘‘(g) NONRENEWAL FOR LACK OF FUNDS.—If, by the 
first day of a fiscal year, sufficient funds have not been 
appropriated under the authority provided by this chapter 
for that fiscal year, then the Administrator shall notify 
the appropriate committees of Congress that operating 
agreements authorized under this chapter for which suffi-
cient funds are not available will not be renewed for that 
fiscal year if sufficient funds are not appropriated by the 
60th day of that fiscal year. 
‘‘(h) RELEASE OF VESSELS FROM OBLIGATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A vessel covered by an op-
erating agreement under this chapter is released 
from any further obligation under the operating 
agreement, except for the requirements of subsection 
(b)(1)(B), if— 
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‘‘(A) the Administrator terminated or did 
not renew the operating agreement under sub-
section (f); or 
‘‘(B) funds are not appropriated to the Ad-
ministrator for payments under the operating 
agreement under this chapter for any fiscal 
year by the 60th day of that fiscal year. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER VESSEL.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—After a vessel is re-
leased from obligations under paragraph (1), 
the covered entity may transfer and register 
such vessel under a foreign registry that— 
‘‘(i) is acceptable to the Administrator 
and the Secretary of Defense, and allows 
the requisitioning of the vessel for title or 
use, notwithstanding section 56101 of this 
title; and 
‘‘(ii) is not a foreign country of con-
cern. 
‘‘(B) EMERGENCY
ACQUISITION
OF
VES-
SELS.—If chapter 563 of this title is applicable 
to a vessel after registration in a foreign reg-
istry described in subparagraph (A), then the 
vessel is available to be requisitioned by the 
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Secretary of Transportation pursuant to such 
chapter. 
‘‘(i) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—No court shall have juris-
diction to review the Administrator’s decision with respect 
to the award or non-award of an operating agreement 
issued under this chapter. 
‘‘§ 53604. Payments 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An operating agreement under 
this chapter shall require that the Administrator make 
payments to the covered entity, in accordance with the 
milestones established under section 53603(c)(1) and the 
operating agreement under section 53603 and subject to 
the availability of appropriations under subsection (e). 
‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of this chapter, the Administrator shall not make 
any payment under this chapter for a vessel— 
‘‘(1) with respect to any day for which— 
‘‘(A) the vessel is not operated or main-
tained in accordance with an operating agree-
ment under this chapter; 
‘‘(B) the vessel is under a charter to the 
United States Government; or 
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‘‘(C) except as provided under subsection 
(c), the vessel is engaged in transporting mili-
tary or other preference cargoes under section 
55302(a), 55304, 55305, or 55314 of this title, 
section 2631 of title 10, or any other cargo 
preference law of the United States; or 
‘‘(2) that participates in the coastwise trade in 
violation of the operating agreement and section 
53603(b)(1)(B). 
‘‘(c) PREFERENCE
CARGOS.—The Administrator 
may waive the requirement of subsection (b)(1)(C) to the 
extent, in the manner, and on the terms the Administrator 
prescribes, only if— 
‘‘(1) the Administrator, acting in the Adminis-
trator’s capacity as Director of the National Ship-
ping Authority, makes a determination of the non-
availability of qualified vessels of the United States 
that are not enrolled in the Strategic Commercial 
Fleet; 
‘‘(2) the Administrator ensures reasonable no-
tice has been provided to the owners and operators 
of qualified vessels of the United States that are not 
enrolled in the Strategic Commercial Fleet; and 
‘‘(3) by not later than 7 days after issuing a 
waiver under this subsection, the Administrator noti-
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fies the appropriate committees of Congress and 
posts such waiver on a public website of the Mari-
time Administration. 
‘‘(d) OPERATING AGREEMENT IS OBLIGATION OF 
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.—An operating agree-
ment under this chapter constitutes a contractual obliga-
tion of the United States Government to pay the amounts 
provided for in the agreement, subject to the availability 
of appropriations under subsection (e). 
‘‘(e) APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE MARITIME SECU-
RITY TRUST FUND.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Administrator for payments to 
covered entities under this section, out of the Mari-
time Security Trust Fund established under section 
9512 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986— 
‘‘(A) for fiscal year 2025, $150,000,000; 
‘‘(B) for fiscal year 2026, $300,000,000; 
‘‘(C) for fiscal year 2027, $550,000,000; 
‘‘(D) for fiscal year 2028, $800,000,000; 
‘‘(E) for fiscal year 2029, $1,000,000,000; 
‘‘(F) for fiscal year 2030, $1,200,000,000; 
‘‘(G) for fiscal year 2031, $1,400,000,000; 
‘‘(H) for fiscal year 2032, $1,600,000,000; 
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‘‘(I) for fiscal year 2033, $1,900,000,000; 
and 
‘‘(J) for fiscal year 2034, $2,100,000,000. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made available 
under paragraph (1) shall remain available until ex-
pended. 
‘‘(f) CLARIFICATION.—The provision by the Adminis-
trator of a payment under this section shall not be consid-
ered to be a major Federal action under the National En-
vironmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 
or an undertaking for the purposes of division A of subtitle 
III of title 54, United States Code. 
‘‘(g) BUY
AMERICA.—Section 54101(d)(2) shall 
apply to any funds obligated by the Administrator under 
this section. 
‘‘§ 53605. National security requirements 
‘‘(a) EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AGREEMENT RE-
QUIRED.—The Administrator, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Defense, shall establish an emergency pre-
paredness program under this section under which the 
program participant for an operating agreement under 
this chapter shall agree, as a condition of the operating 
agreement, to enter into an emergency preparedness 
agreement with the Administrator. The Administrator 
shall negotiate and enter into an emergency preparedness 
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agreement with each program participant as promptly as 
practicable after the program participant has entered into 
the operating agreement. 
‘‘(b) USE OF EXISTING PROGRAM.—The Adminis-
trator may use an existing emergency preparedness pro-
gram, as of the date of enactment of the SHIPS for Amer-
ica Act of 2024, to satisfy the requirements of subsection 
(a). 
‘‘(c) TERMS
OF AGREEMENT.—The terms of an 
emergency preparedness agreement under this section 
shall— 
‘‘(1) provide that upon request by the Secretary 
of Defense during time of war or national emer-
gency, or whenever determined by the Secretary of 
Defense to be necessary for national security or con-
tingency operation (as that term is defined in section 
101 of title 10), the program participant shall make 
available commercial transportation resources (in-
cluding services) described in subsection (e) to the 
Secretary of Defense; 
‘‘(2) shall include such additional terms as may 
be established by the Administrator and the Sec-
retary of Defense; and 
‘‘(3) shall allow for the modification or addition 
of terms upon agreement by the Administrator and 
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the program participant and the approval by the 
Secretary of Defense. 
‘‘(d) PARTICIPATION AFTER EXPIRATION OF OPER-
ATING AGREEMENT.—The Administrator may not require, 
through an emergency preparedness agreement or an op-
erating agreement, that a program participant covered by 
an operating agreement continue to participate in an 
emergency preparedness agreement after the operating 
agreement has expired according to its terms or is other-
wise no longer in effect. After the expiration of an emer-
gency preparedness agreement, a program participant 
may voluntarily continue to participate in the agreement. 
‘‘(e) RESOURCES MADE AVAILABLE.—The commer-
cial transportation resources to be made available under 
an emergency preparedness agreement shall include ves-
sels or capacity in vessels, terminal facilities, management 
services, and other related services, or any agreed portion 
of such nonvessel resources for activation as the Secretary 
of Defense may determine to be necessary, seeking to min-
imize disruption of the program participant’s service to 
commercial customers. 
‘‘(f) COMPENSATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall in-
clude in each emergency preparedness agreement 
provisions approved by the Secretary of Defense 
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under which the Secretary of Defense shall pay fair 
and reasonable compensation for all commercial 
transportation resources provided pursuant to this 
section. 
‘‘(2) SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.—Compensation 
under this subsection— 
‘‘(A) shall not be less than the program 
participant’s commercial market charges for 
like transportation resources; 
‘‘(B) shall be fair and reasonable consid-
ering all circumstances; 
‘‘(C) shall be provided from the time that 
a vessel or resource is required by the Secretary 
of Defense until the time it is redelivered to the 
program participant and is available to reenter 
commercial service; and 
‘‘(D) shall be in addition to and shall not 
in any way reflect amounts payable under sec-
tion 53604 of this title. 
‘‘(g) TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT VESSELS.—Not-
withstanding section 55302(a), 55304, 55305, or 55314 
of this title, section 2631 of title 10, or any other cargo 
preference law of the United States— 
‘‘(1) a program participant may operate or em-
ploy in foreign commerce a foreign vessel, or capac-
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ity in a foreign vessel, as a temporary replacement 
for a vessel of the United States or vessel of the 
United States capacity that is activated by the Sec-
retary of Defense under an emergency preparedness 
agreement or a primary Department of Defense sea-
lift-approved readiness program; and 
‘‘(2) such replacement vessel or vessel capacity 
shall be eligible during the replacement period to 
transport preference cargoes subject to sections 
55302(a), 55304, 55305, and 55314 of this title and 
section 2631 of title 10, to the same extent as the 
eligibility of the vessel or vessel capacity replaced. 
‘‘(h) REDELIVERY AND LIABILITY OF THE UNITED 
STATES FOR DAMAGES.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—All commercial transpor-
tation resources activated under an emergency pre-
paredness agreement shall, upon termination of the 
period of activation, be redelivered to the program 
participant in the same good order and condition as 
when received, less ordinary wear and tear, or the 
Secretary of Defense shall fully compensate the pro-
gram participant for any necessary repair or replace-
ment. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION ON UNITED STATES LIABIL-
ITY.—Except as may be expressly agreed in an 
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emergency preparedness agreement, or as otherwise 
provided by law, the Government shall not be liable 
for disruption of a program participant’s commercial 
business or other consequential damages to the pro-
gram participant arising from the activation of com-
mercial transportation resources under an emer-
gency preparedness agreement. 
‘‘§ 53606. Regulations 
‘‘The Administrator and the Secretary of Defense 
may each prescribe rules as necessary to carry out their 
respective responsibilities under this chapter.’’. 
(b) CONFIRMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 51307(b) 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘, or the’’ and inserting 
‘‘, the’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, or the Strategic 
Commercial Fleet under chapter 536 of 
this title’’ before ‘‘to—’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘or 
Tanker Security Fleet vessel’’ and inserting 
‘‘Tanker Security Fleet vessel, or Strategic 
Commercial Fleet vessel’’; and 
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100 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘or 534’’ and 
inserting ‘‘534, or 536’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of chapters 
for subtitle V of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘536. Strategic Commercial Fleet ........................................................... 53601’’. 
SEC. 402. MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM. 
(a) ANNUAL PAYMENTS.—Section 53106(a)(1) of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘fiscal 
years 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024’’; and 
(2) by striking subparagraphs (D) through (F) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(D) $6,500,000 for each of fiscal years 
2025 and 2026; 
‘‘(E) $6,675,000 for each of fiscal years 
2027 and 2028; 
‘‘(F) $6,855,000 for each of fiscal years 
2029 and 2030; 
‘‘(G) $7,040,000 for each of fiscal years 
2031 and 2032; and 
‘‘(H) $7,230,000 for each of fiscal years 
2033 and 2034.’’. 
(b) CARGO PREFERENCE.—Section 53105(a) of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
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101 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) except for the limitations established under 
subsection (d), the vessel shall receive priority con-
sideration to carry military or other preference car-
goes under section 55305 or 55314 of this title, sec-
tion 2631 of title 10, or any other cargo preference 
law of the United States, over vessels of the United 
States that are enrolled in other financial assistance 
programs established under chapters 532, 534, and 
536 of this part.’’. 
(c) MARITIME SECURITY FLEET.— 
(1) TEST.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commander of 
the United States Transportation Command, in co-
ordination with the Secretary of the Navy and the 
Maritime Administrator, shall devise a tabletop exer-
cise to test the effective control of the Maritime Se-
curity Fleet under chapter 531 of title 46, United 
States Code, in case of crisis or war. 
(2) BRIEFING.—After completion of the exer-
cise under paragraph (1), the Commander shall sub-
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102 
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
briefing on the results of the tabletop exercise under 
paragraph (1). 
(3) ANNUAL
TESTING.—Beginning not later 
than 1 year after the briefing is submitted under 
paragraph (2), the Commander shall— 
(A) carry out tabletop drills to test effec-
tive control of the Maritime Security Fleet 
under chapter 531 of title 46, United States 
Code; and 
(B) provide to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a briefing after each such drill on 
the results of such drill. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
53111 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘fiscal years 
2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal 
years 2022, 2023, and 2024’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraphs (4) through (6) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) $390,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 
and 2026; 
‘‘(5) $400,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 
and 2028; 
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103 
‘‘(6) $411,300,000 for each of fiscal years 2029 
and 2030; 
‘‘(7) $422,400,000 for each of fiscal years 2031 
and 2032; and 
‘‘(8) $433,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2033 
and 2034.’’. 
SEC. 403. CABLE SECURITY FLEET. 
(a) ANNUAL PAYMENTS.—Section 53206(a)(1) of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘equal to $5,000,000 for each fiscal year 2021 through 
2035’’ and inserting ‘‘equal to— 
‘‘(A) $6,500,000 for each of fiscal years 
2025 and 2026; 
‘‘(B) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2027 and 2028; 
‘‘(C) $9,500,000 for each of fiscal years 
2029 and 2030; 
‘‘(D) $10,500,000 for each of fiscal years 
2031 and 2032; and 
‘‘(E) $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2033 and 2034.’’. 
(b) ASSESSMENT
OF UNDERSEA CABLE REPAIR 
CONTINGENCIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
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104 
retary of Defense, in coordination with the Maritime 
Administrator, the Federal Communications Com-
mission, and other relevant Federal agencies, shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
an assessment on the ability and preparedness of the 
USNS Zeus and the Cable Security Fleet under 
chapter 532 of title 46, United States Code, to re-
pair transoceanic submarine fiber optic cables that 
may be damaged or cut by adversaries. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The assessment under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
(A) a description of preparedness to ad-
dress a situation in which the cables of partner 
countries in both the Pacific and Atlantic 
Oceans are damaged or severed at or around 
the same time; 
(B) a determination as to how long it 
would take for the Cable Security Fleet, in co-
ordination with partner countries, to repair 
such cables; and 
(C) the options available to provide 
connectivity in an emergency or crisis caused 
by, or related to, the damaging or severing of 
such cables. 
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105 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
53209 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘section 53206, $10,000,000 for 
each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2035.’’; and 
inserting the following: ‘‘section 53206— 
‘‘(1) $13,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 
and 2026; 
‘‘(2) $16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 
and 2028; 
‘‘(3) $19,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2029 
and 2030; 
‘‘(4) $21,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2031 
and 2032; and 
‘‘(5) $24,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2033 
and 2034.’’. 
SEC. 404. TANKER SECURITY FLEET. 
(a) PAYMENTS.—Section 53406(a) of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘$6,000,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$9,000,000.’’; and 
(2) by striking the last sentence. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
53411 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘, and $120,000,000 for fiscal years 2024 
through 2035’’ and inserting ‘‘, $120,000,000 for fiscal 
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year 2024, and $180,000,000 for fiscal years 2025 
through 2035’’. 
SEC. 405. MODIFICATION TO DUTIES RELATING TO EQUIP-
MENT AND REPAIR OF VESSELS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 466 of the Tariff Act of 
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1466) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), in the first sentence, by 
striking ‘‘50 per centum on the cost thereof in such 
foreign country’’ and inserting ‘‘70 percent of the 
cost thereof in such foreign country or, in the case 
of a foreign country of concern (as defined in section 
4 of the SHIPS for America Act of 2024), 200 per-
cent of the cost thereof in such country’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) During the period beginning on the date of enact-
ment of the SHIPS for America Act of 2024 and ending 
on December 31, 2034, the duty imposed under subsection 
(a) shall not apply to the cost of equipment, or any part 
of equipment, purchased for, or expenses of repair parts 
or materials to be used for, or repairs made in a foreign 
country, unless such country is a foreign country of con-
cern (as defined in section 4 of the SHIPS for America 
Act of 2024, on, a vessel engaged in foreign trade if the 
Maritime Administrator confirms that— 
‘‘(1) the vessel— 
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‘‘(A) is participating in— 
‘‘(i) the Maritime Security Fleet 
under chapter 531 of title 46, United 
States Code; 
‘‘(ii) the Cable Security Fleet under 
chapter 532 of such title; 
‘‘(iii) the Tanker Security Fleet under 
chapter 534 of such title; or 
‘‘(iv) the Strategic Commercial Fleet 
under chapter 536 of such title; or 
‘‘(B) has a Voluntary Intermodal Sealift 
Agreement or Voluntary Tanker Agreement 
with the Maritime Administrator in effect; and 
‘‘(2) the owner or master of the vessel certifies 
to the Maritime Administrator in writing that a 
good faith effort was made to purchase equipment or 
carry out repairs in a shipyard of the United 
States.’’. 
(b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not less than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years there-
after through December 31, 2034, the Maritime Adminis-
trator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report— 
(1) describing the number of vessels that paid 
the duties under section 466 of the Tariff Act of 
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1930 (19 U.S.C. 1466), and the location where the 
repairs described in such section occurred; 
(2)(A) identifying shipyards of the United 
States that have capacity to carry out vessel repairs; 
and 
(B) describing the extent to which vessels of the 
United States chose to conduct repairs in such ship-
yards during the period covered by the report; 
(3) evaluating the effectiveness of section 466 
of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1466) in en-
couraging the repair of vessels of the United States 
in shipyards of the United States; and 
(4) making recommendations for additional reg-
ulatory or legislative steps which could be taken to 
support the United States vessel repair industrial 
base. 
Subtitle B—Cargo Preference 
SEC. 411. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CARGO. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the Con-
gress that— 
(1) only the Maritime Administrator, acting in 
the Administrator’s capacity as Director of the Na-
tional Shipping Authority, has the authority to de-
termine the non-availability of qualified capacity of 
vessels of the United States (referred to in this sub-
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section as ‘‘qualified United States flag capacity’’) 
at fair and reasonable rates for commercial vessels 
of the United States to meet the requirements of 
section 55305 or 55314 of title 46, United States 
Code; 
(2) the requirements of section 55305 or 55314 
of title 46, United States Code, may only be waived 
temporarily by the President, the Secretary of De-
fense, or the Secretary of Transportation during a 
declared emergency justifying such a temporary 
waiver, following a determination by the Maritime 
Administrator, acting in the Maritime Administra-
tor’s capacity as Director of the National Shipping 
Authority, of the non-availability of qualified United 
States flag capacity at fair and reasonable rates for 
commercial vessels of the United States pursuant to 
section 55305(d) of title 46, United States Code; 
and 
(3) nothing in title II of the Food for Peace Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.) authorizes the Administrator 
of the United States Agency for International Devel-
opment or the Secretary of Agriculture to waive the 
requirements of section 55305 or 55314 of title 46, 
United States Code, without first obtaining— 
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110 
(A) delegated authority from the President 
of the United States; 
(B) an emergency declaration justifying 
such a temporary waiver, pursuant to section 
55305(d) of title 46, United States Code; and 
(C) a determination by the Maritime Ad-
ministrator, acting in the Maritime Administra-
tor’s capacity as Director of the National Ship-
ping Authority, on the non-availability of quali-
fied United States flag capacity at fair and rea-
sonable rates for commercial vessels of the 
United States pursuant to section 55305(d) of 
title 46, United States Code. 
(b) APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 55305(a) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘at least 
50’’ and inserting ‘‘100’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made 
by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date that 
is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) CLARIFICATION.—Section 55305(d) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘a consulta-
tion with the Maritime Security Board’’ after ‘‘fol-
lowing’’; and 
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111 
(2) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting ‘‘Maritime 
Security Board and the’’ after ‘‘to the’’. 
SEC. 412. CARGO PREFERENCE IMPLEMENTATION REGULA-
TIONS. 
(a) REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Mari-
time Administrator, notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, regulation, or administrative order, shall— 
(1) promulgate regulations under subchapter 
III of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, to 
fully implement and ensure compliance with sections 
55305, 55314, 55315, and 55316 of title 46, United 
States Code; 
(2) issue interagency guidance to other Federal 
departments and agencies on how to administer the 
programs that are subject to such sections in accord-
ance with those sections, as applicable; and 
(3) publish such guidance in the Federal Reg-
ister and on the website of the Maritime Administra-
tion. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—The Administrator may consult 
with the Food Aid Consultative Group established by sec-
tion 205 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1725) in 
carrying out this section. 
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(c) REPEAL OF EARLIER REGULATORY DEADLINE.— 
Subsection (a) of section 3502 of the James M. Inhofe 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 
(46 U.S.C. 55305 note; Public Law 117–263), is repealed. 
SEC. 413. CARGO PREFERENCE OVERSIGHT AND AUDIT. 
Section 55301 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘section 
55305’’ and inserting ‘‘sections 55305, 55314, 
55315, and 55316’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) NOTIFICATION OF VIOLATION.—The Maritime 
Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) upon receiving any credible information, as 
determined by the Administrator, that a Federal de-
partment or agency that administers a program cov-
ered by a report required under subsection (a) was 
not in compliance with the requirements of section 
55305, 55314, 55315, or 55316 of this title (as ap-
plicable), notify the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives not later than 14 days 
after receiving such information; and 
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‘‘(2) upon receiving any credible information, as 
determined by the Administrator, that a Federal de-
partment or agency that administers a program cov-
ered by a report required under subsection (a) was 
not in compliance with the requirements of section 
2631 of title 10, United States Code, notify the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation and the Committee on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives not later than 
14 days after receiving such information.’’. 
SEC. 414. FINANCING THE TRANSPORTATION OF AGRICUL-
TURAL PRODUCTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 553 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
section 55315 the following: 
‘‘§ 55316. Financing the transportation of agricultural 
products 
‘‘(a) FINANCING OF INCREASED COSTS.—The Sec-
retary of Transportation shall finance any increased ocean 
freight costs incurred in any fiscal year that result from 
the application of section 55305 of this title to the agricul-
tural export programs specified in section 55314(b) of this 
title. 
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114 
‘‘(b) REIMBURSEMENT OF INCREASED COSTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall reimburse the Secretary of Agriculture, 
the Commodity Credit Corporation, and the United 
States Agency for International Development for the 
amount by which, in any fiscal year— 
‘‘(A) the total cost of ocean freight and 
ocean freight differential for which obligations 
are incurred by the Secretary of Agriculture, 
the Corporation, and the United States Agency 
for International Development on exports of ag-
ricultural products under the agricultural ex-
port programs specified in section 55314(b) of 
this title; exceeds 
‘‘(B) 20 percent of the value of the agricul-
tural products and the cost of the ocean freight 
and ocean freight differential on which obliga-
tions are incurred by the Secretary of Agri-
culture, the Corporation, and the United States 
Agency for International Development during 
that fiscal year. 
‘‘(2) AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS SHIPPED FROM 
INVENTORY.—For purposes of this subsection, agri-
cultural products shipped from the inventory of the 
Corporation shall be valued as provided in section 
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115 
412(d) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 
1736f(d)). 
‘‘(c) INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—By not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of the SHIPS for Amer-
ica Act of 2024, the Secretary of Transportation 
shall enter into an interagency agreement with the 
head of each agency entitled to reimbursement under 
subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each interagency agreement 
shall include— 
‘‘(A) an explanation of the process the 
agency shall follow to receive a reimbursement 
from the Secretary of Transportation under this 
section; 
‘‘(B) a standard methodology for calcu-
lating the reimbursement an agency is entitled 
to under this section; and 
‘‘(C) deadlines— 
‘‘(i) by which an agency shall submit 
a reimbursement request in order to re-
ceive reimbursement; and 
‘‘(ii) by which the Secretary of Trans-
portation shall approve a properly filed re-
imbursement request, which date shall not 
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116 
be more than 90 days after the date on 
which the reimbursement request is sub-
mitted. 
‘‘(3) 
CONGRESSIONAL
NOTIFICATION.—The 
Secretary of Transportation shall notify the appro-
priate committees of Congress— 
‘‘(A) when each interagency agreement re-
quired under this subsection is finalized; and 
‘‘(B) any time that an interagency agree-
ment required under this subsection is updated. 
‘‘(d) AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘agricultural product’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 55314 of title 46, United States 
Code. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Each 
fiscal year, there is authorized to be appropriated, out of 
the Maritime Security Trust Fund established under sec-
tion 9512 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, an 
amount sufficient to reimburse the Secretary of Transpor-
tation for the costs incurred under this section, including 
administrative expenses.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for subchapter II of chapter 553 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 55315 the following: 
‘‘55316. Financing the transportation of agricultural products.’’. 
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SEC. 415. IMPORTATION FROM CHINA ON AMERICAN SHIPS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 605 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 60508. Importation on American ships 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of law, not less than the covered percentage, as de-
scribed in subsection (b), of covered goods by tonnage im-
ported into the United States from a foreign port shall 
be imported on a vessel that is— 
‘‘(1) a vessel of the United States; 
‘‘(2) crewed by United States mariners; and 
‘‘(3) built in the United States. 
‘‘(b) PERCENTAGE.—A covered percentage under this 
section is the following: 
‘‘(1) One percent in the year that is 5 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(2) Two percent in the year that is 6 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(3) Three percent in the year that is 7 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(4) Four percent in the year that is 8 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(5) Five percent in the year that is 9 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
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118 
‘‘(6) Six percent in the year that is 10 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(7) Seven percent in the year that is 11 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(8) Eight percent in the year that is 12 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(9) Nine percent in the year that is 13 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(10) Ten percent in the year that is 14 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—The requirement under sub-
section (a) shall be applied to any shipper importing goods 
into the United States that originates from a foreign port 
or place. 
‘‘(d) FINE FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—On an annual basis, the 
Maritime Administrator shall issue a fine to any en-
tity failing to comply with the requirements under 
this section. 
‘‘(2) AMOUNT.—The amount of a fine under 
this section shall be in an amount set by the Mari-
time Administrator that is greater than the dif-
ference in cost between— 
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119 
‘‘(A) the cost of employing a vessel of the 
United States that is built in the United States 
and crewed by United States mariners; and 
‘‘(B) the cost of employing a foreign vessel, 
flying a flag of convenience, manufactured out-
side of the United States. 
‘‘(3) USE OF AMOUNTS.—Any amount collected 
under this subsection shall be deposited in the Mari-
time Security Trust Fund. 
‘‘(e) RULEMAKING REQUIRED.—Not later than 4 
years after the date of enactment of this section, the Mari-
time Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of 
Homeland Security and the Chairman of the Federal Mar-
itime Commission, shall promulgate a final rule that es-
tablishes a system that— 
‘‘(1) identifies persons and goods that are sub-
ject to the requirements of this section; 
‘‘(2) establishes requirements for such persons 
and goods that meet the applicable percentages es-
tablished under subsection (b); 
‘‘(3) establishes clear enforcement mechanisms 
to ensure compliance with this section; and 
‘‘(4) determines the amount of a fine issued 
under subsection (d). 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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120 
‘‘(1) COVERED
GOODS.—The term ‘covered 
goods’ means goods manufactured in the People’s 
Republic of China. 
‘‘(2) SHIPPER.—The term ‘shipper’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 40102 of this 
title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 605 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘60508. Importation on American ships.’’. 
SEC. 416. PRIORITY FOR VESSELS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Part D of subtitle V of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 
553 the following: 
‘‘CHAPTER 555—PRIORITY FOR VESSELS 
OF THE UNITED STATES 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘55501. Priority for vessels of the United States. 
‘‘§ 55501. Priority for vessels of the United States 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A vessel of the United States 
shall be given priority at any port in the United States, 
ahead of a waiting vessel of a foreign country. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), 
if the Secretary of Transportation finds that it is in the 
national interest, the Secretary may eliminate this priority 
at any port. The Secretary shall report to the appropriate 
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121 
committees of Congress, as defined in section 4 of the 
SHIPS for America Act of 2024, by not later than 30 
days after an action eliminating priority under this sec-
tion.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of chapters 
for subtitle V of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘555. Priority for vessels of the United States ....................................... 55501’’. 
SEC. 417. MOVING CARGO ON VESSELS OF THE UNITED 
STATES. 
(a) ASSESSMENT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Maritime 
Security Advisor, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Transportation, the Secretary of Commerce, the Chairman 
of the Federal Maritime Commission, and the United 
States Trade Representative, shall— 
(1) conduct an assessment that identifies au-
thorities available under current Federal law, as of 
the date of such identification, that may be utilized 
to incentivize the movement of commercial cargo on 
vessels of the United States in international com-
merce; and 
(2) makes recommendations to the President to 
utilize such authorities. 
(b) INCLUSIONS.—The assessment required under 
subsection (a) shall include an evaluation of— 
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122 
(1) tax benefits for taxpayers who ship goods 
aboard vessels of the United States; 
(2) modifications to import and export duties 
for goods imported or exported aboard vessels of the 
United States; 
(3) privileges for vessels of the United States 
that enable vessels of the United States to provide 
improved service relative to other vessels in inter-
national commerce; and 
(4) any other authorities that would incentivize 
the movement of goods aboard vessels of the United 
States. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Upon carrying out the 
assessment required under subsection (a), the Maritime 
Security Advisor shall submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress— 
(1) a list of the recommendations made under 
subsection (a)(2); and 
(2) a list of additional actions that could be 
taken by Congress to further incentivize the move-
ment of commercial cargo on vessels of the United 
States. 
(d) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘vessel 
of the United States’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 116 of title 46, United States Code. 
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123 
SEC. 418. TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN 
EXPORTS SPONSORED BY THE SECRETARY 
OF AGRICULTURE. 
Section 55314 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting before subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) APPLICABILITY.—The requirements under sec-
tion 55305 of this title shall apply with respect to the ac-
tivities specified in subsection (b).’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘titles I, 
II, or III of’’ after ‘‘carried out under’’; 
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘agricul-
tural commodities or their products’’ and in-
serting ‘‘agricultural products’’; 
(C) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘agricul-
tural commodities or their products’’ and in-
serting ‘‘agricultural products’’; 
(D) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘agricul-
tural commodities or their products’’ and in-
serting ‘‘agricultural products’’; 
(E) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘agricul-
tural commodities’’ and inserting ‘‘agricultural 
products’’; 
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124 
(F) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), 
(6), and (7) as paragraphs (6), (7), (8), and 
(9), respectively; and 
(G) by inserting after paragraph (3) the 
following: 
‘‘(4) carried out under the Food for Progress 
Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1736o); 
‘‘(5) carried out under the McGovern-Dole 
International Food for Education and Child Nutri-
tion Program under section 3107 of the Farm Secu-
rity and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 15 
1736o–1);’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary of 
Agriculture or the Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development, as applicable, 
shall, by October 15 of each year, submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress (as defined in section 4 of 
the SHIPS for America Act of 2024)— 
‘‘(1) a written notice of any waiver of the re-
quirements of this section issued during the pre-
ceding fiscal year; and 
‘‘(2) the reasons for granting such waiver and 
how such waiver meets the requirements of this sec-
tion and section 55305(d). 
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125 
‘‘(d) AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘agricultural product’ means any food 
product, including an agricultural commodity (as such 
term is defined in section 402 of the Food for Peace Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1732)), specialty crop (as such term is defined 
in section 3 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act 
of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note)), or processed food product, 
exported from the United States.’’. 
SEC. 419. CLARIFYING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES EMERGENCY AS-
SISTANCE CLARIFICATION.—Section 202(a) of the Food 
for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1722(a)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Notwithstanding’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to the require-
ments of sections 55305 and 55314 of title 46, United 
States Code, and notwithstanding’’. 
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS CLARIFICATION.— 
Section 407(b)(2)(A) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 
1736a(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘Notwith-
standing’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to the requirements of 
sections 55305 and 55314 of title 46, United States Code, 
and notwithstanding’’. 
(c) EMERGENCY FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM CLARI-
FICATION.—Section 491(c)(1) of the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2292(c)(1)) is amended by insert-
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126 
ing ‘‘and the requirements of sections 55305 and 55314 
of title 46, United States Code’’ after ‘‘section 492’’. 
SEC. 420. ENERGIZING AMERICAN SHIPBUILDING. 
(a) NATIONAL
POLICY
ON
STRATEGIC
ENERGY 
ASSET EXPORT TRANSPORTATION.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT
FOR
TRANSPORTATION
OF 
EXPORTS
OF
NATURAL
GAS
ON
VESSELS
DOCU-
MENTED UNDER LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.— 
Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) TRANSPORTATION OF EXPORTS OF NATURAL 
GAS ON VESSELS DOCUMENTED UNDER LAWS OF THE 
UNITED STATES.— 
‘‘(1) CONDITION
FOR
APPROVAL.—Except as 
provided in paragraph (7), with respect to an appli-
cation to export natural gas under subsection (a), 
the Commission shall include in the order issued for 
that application the condition that the person trans-
port the natural gas on a vessel that meets the re-
quirements described in paragraph (3). 
‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the require-
ment under paragraph (1) is to ensure that, of all 
natural gas exported by vessel in a calendar year, 
the following percentage is exported by a vessel that 
meets the requirements described in paragraph (3): 
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‘‘(A) In each of the 7 calendar years fol-
lowing the calendar year in which this sub-
section is enacted, not less than 2 percent. 
‘‘(B) In each of the 8th and 9th calendar 
years following the calendar year in which this 
subsection is enacted, not less than 3 percent. 
‘‘(C) In each of the 10th and 11th cal-
endar years following the calendar year in 
which this subsection is enacted, not less than 
4 percent. 
‘‘(D) In each of the 12th and 13th cal-
endar years following the calendar year in 
which this subsection is enacted, not less than 
6 percent. 
‘‘(E) In each of the 14th and 15th cal-
endar years following the calendar year in 
which this subsection is enacted, not less than 
7 percent. 
‘‘(F) In each of the 16th and 17th cal-
endar years following the calendar year in 
which this subsection is enacted, not less than 
9 percent. 
‘‘(G) In each of the 18th and 19th cal-
endar years following the calendar year in 
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128 
which this subsection is enacted, not less than 
11 percent. 
‘‘(H) In each of the 20th and 21st cal-
endar years following the calendar year in 
which this subsection is enacted, not less than 
13 percent. 
‘‘(I) In the 22nd calendar year after the 
calendar year in which this subsection is en-
acted and each calendar year thereafter, not 
less than 15 percent. 
‘‘(3) REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS.—A vessel 
meets the requirements described in this para-
graph— 
‘‘(A) with respect to each of the 5 calendar 
years following the calendar year in which this 
subsection is enacted— 
‘‘(i) if— 
‘‘(I) the vessel is documented 
under the laws of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(II) with respect to any retrofit 
work necessary for the vessel to ex-
port natural gas— 
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129 
‘‘(aa) such work is done in a 
shipyard in the United States; 
and 
‘‘(bb) any component of the 
vessel listed in paragraph (4) 
that 
is 
installed 
during 
the 
course of such work is manufac-
tured in the United States; or 
‘‘(ii) if— 
‘‘(I) the vessel is built in the 
United States; 
‘‘(II) the vessel is documented 
under the laws of the United States; 
‘‘(III) all major components of 
the hull or superstructure of the ves-
sel are manufactured (including all 
manufacturing processes from the ini-
tial melting stage through the applica-
tion of coatings for iron or steel prod-
ucts) in the United States; and 
‘‘(IV) the components of the ves-
sel listed in paragraph (4) are manu-
factured in the United States; and 
‘‘(B) with respect to the 6th calendar year 
following the calendar year in which this sub-
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130 
section is enacted, and each calendar year 
thereafter, if the vessel meets the requirements 
of subparagraph (A)(ii). 
‘‘(4) COMPONENTS.—The components of a ves-
sel listed in this paragraph are the following: 
‘‘(A) Air circuit breakers. 
‘‘(B) Welded shipboard anchor and moor-
ing chain. 
‘‘(C) Powered and non-powered valves in 
Federal Supply Classes 4810 and 4820 used in 
piping. 
‘‘(D) Machine tools in the Federal Supply 
Classes for metal-working machinery numbered 
3405, 3408, 3410 through 3419, 3426, 3433, 
3438, 3441 through 3443, 3445, 3446, 3448, 
3449, 3460, and 3461. 
‘‘(E) Auxiliary equipment for shipboard 
services, including pumps. 
‘‘(F) Propulsion equipment, including en-
gines, propulsion motors, reduction gears, and 
propellers. 
‘‘(G) Shipboard cranes. 
‘‘(H) Spreaders for shipboard cranes. 
‘‘(I) Rotating electrical equipment, includ-
ing electrical alternators and motors. 
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131 
‘‘(J) Compressors, pumps, and heat ex-
changers used in managing and re-liquefying 
boil-off gas from liquefied natural gas. 
‘‘(5) WAIVER
AUTHORITY.—The Commission 
may waive the requirement under clause (i)(II)(bb) 
or (ii)(IV), as applicable, of paragraph (3)(A) with 
respect to a component of a vessel if the Maritime 
Administrator determines that— 
‘‘(A) 
application 
of 
the 
requirement 
would— 
‘‘(i) result in an increase of 25 per-
cent or more in the cost of the component 
of the vessel; or 
‘‘(ii) cause unreasonable delays to be 
incurred in building or retrofitting the ves-
sel; or 
‘‘(B) such component is not manufactured 
in the United States in sufficient and reason-
ably available quantities of a satisfactory qual-
ity. 
‘‘(6) OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREDENTIALED MER-
CHANT
MARINERS.—Except as provided in para-
graph (7), the Commission shall include, in any 
order issued under subsection (a) that authorizes a 
person to export natural gas, a condition that the 
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132 
person provide opportunities for individuals with a 
merchant mariner credential, as defined in section 
2101 of title 46, United States Code, to receive ex-
perience 
and 
training 
necessary 
to 
become 
credentialed in working on a vessel transporting nat-
ural gas. 
‘‘(7) EXCEPTION.—The Commission may not 
include in any order issued under subsection (a) au-
thorizing a person to export natural gas to a nation 
with which there is in effect a free trade agreement 
requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas 
a condition described in paragraph (1), or a condi-
tion described in paragraph (6), if the United States 
Trade Representative certifies to the Commission, in 
writing, that such condition would violate obligations 
of the United States under such free trade agree-
ment. 
‘‘(8) USE OF FEDERAL INFORMATION.—In car-
rying out paragraph (1), the Commission— 
‘‘(A) shall use information made available 
by— 
‘‘(i) the Energy Information Adminis-
tration; or 
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133 
‘‘(ii) any other Federal agency or enti-
ty the Commission determines appropriate; 
and 
‘‘(B) may use information made available 
by a private entity only if applicable informa-
tion described in subparagraph (A) is not avail-
able.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 3(c) 
of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b(c)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘or the exportation of natural 
gas’’ and inserting ‘‘or, subject to subsection (g), the 
exportation of natural gas’’. 
(b) CRUDE OIL.—Section 101 of title I of division 
O of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (42 
U.S.C. 6212a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘subsections 
(c) and (d)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsections (c), (d), and 
(f)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) TRANSPORTATION OF EXPORTS OF CRUDE OIL 
ON
VESSELS
DOCUMENTED
UNDER
LAWS
OF
THE 
UNITED STATES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (6), as a condition to export crude oil, the 
President shall require that a person exporting crude 
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134 
oil transport the crude oil on a vessel that meets the 
requirements described in paragraph (3). 
‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the require-
ment under paragraph (1) is to ensure that, of all 
crude oil exported by vessel in a calendar year, the 
following percentage is exported by a vessel that 
meets the requirements described in paragraph (3): 
‘‘(A) In each of the 7 calendar years fol-
lowing the calendar year in which this sub-
section is enacted, not less than 3 percent. 
‘‘(B) In each of the 8th, 9th, and 10th cal-
endar years following the calendar year in 
which this subsection is enacted, not less than 
6 percent. 
‘‘(C) In each of the 11th, 12th, and 13th 
calendar years following the calendar year in 
which this subsection is enacted, not less than 
8 percent. 
‘‘(D) In the 14th calendar year following 
the calendar year in which this subsection is en-
acted and each calendar year thereafter, not 
less than 10 percent. 
‘‘(3) REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS.—A vessel 
meets the requirements described in this para-
graph— 
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‘‘(A) with respect to each of the 4 calendar 
years following the calendar year in which this 
subsection is enacted— 
‘‘(i) if— 
‘‘(I) the vessel is documented 
under the laws of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(II) with respect to any retrofit 
work necessary for the vessel to ex-
port crude oil— 
‘‘(aa) such work is done in a 
shipyard in the United States; 
and 
‘‘(bb) any component of the 
vessel listed in paragraph (4) 
that 
is 
installed 
during 
the 
course of such work is manufac-
tured in the United States; or 
‘‘(ii) if— 
‘‘(I) the vessel is built in the 
United States; 
‘‘(II) the vessel is documented 
under the laws of the United States; 
‘‘(III) all major components of 
the hull or superstructure of the ves-
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136 
sel are manufactured (including all 
manufacturing processes from the ini-
tial melting stage through the applica-
tion of coatings for iron or steel prod-
ucts) in the United States; and 
‘‘(IV) the components of the ves-
sel listed in paragraph (4) are manu-
factured in the United States; and 
‘‘(B) with respect to the 5th calendar year 
following the calendar year in which this sub-
section is enacted and each calendar year there-
after, if the vessel meets the requirements of 
subparagraph (A)(ii). 
‘‘(4) COMPONENTS.—The components of a ves-
sel listed in this paragraph are the following: 
‘‘(A) Air circuit breakers. 
‘‘(B) Welded shipboard anchor and moor-
ing chain. 
‘‘(C) Powered and non-powered valves in 
Federal Supply Classes 4810 and 4820 used in 
piping. 
‘‘(D) Machine tools in the Federal Supply 
Classes for metal-working machinery numbered 
3405, 3408, 3410 through 3419, 3426, 3433, 
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3438, 3441 through 3443, 3445, 3446, 3448, 
3449, 3460, and 3461. 
‘‘(E) Auxiliary equipment for shipboard 
services, including pumps. 
‘‘(F) Propulsion equipment, including en-
gines, propulsion motors, reduction gears, and 
propellers. 
‘‘(G) Shipboard cranes. 
‘‘(H) Spreaders for shipboard cranes. 
‘‘(I) Rotating electrical equipment, includ-
ing electrical alternators and motors. 
‘‘(5) WAIVER AUTHORITY.—The President may 
waive the requirement under clause (i)(II)(bb) or 
clause (ii)(IV), as applicable, of paragraph (3)(A) 
with respect to a component of a vessel if the Mari-
time Administrator determines that— 
‘‘(A) 
application 
of 
the 
requirement 
would— 
‘‘(i) result in an increase of 25 per-
cent or more in the cost of the component 
of the vessel; or 
‘‘(ii) cause unreasonable delays to be 
incurred in building or retrofitting the ves-
sel; or 
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138 
‘‘(B) such component is not manufactured 
in the United States in sufficient and reason-
ably available quantities of a satisfactory qual-
ity. 
‘‘(6) EXCEPTION.—The President may not, 
under paragraph (1), condition the export of crude 
oil to a nation with which there is in effect a free 
trade agreement requiring national treatment for 
trade in crude oil if the United States Trade Rep-
resentative certifies to the President, in writing, that 
such condition would violate obligations of the 
United States under such free trade agreement. 
‘‘(7) OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREDENTIALED MER-
CHANT
MARINERS.—The Maritime Administrator 
shall ensure that each exporter of crude oil by vessel 
provides opportunities for individuals with a mer-
chant mariner credential, as defined in section 2101 
of title 46, United States Code, to receive experience 
and training necessary to become credentialed in 
working on such vessels. 
‘‘(8) USE OF FEDERAL INFORMATION.—In car-
rying out paragraph (1), the President— 
‘‘(A) shall use information made available 
by— 
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139 
‘‘(i) the Energy Information Adminis-
tration; or 
‘‘(ii) any other Federal agency or enti-
ty the Commission determines appropriate; 
and 
‘‘(B) may use information made available 
by a private entity only if applicable informa-
tion described in subparagraph (A) is not avail-
able.’’. 
(c) ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION INFOR-
MATION.—The Secretary of Energy, acting through the 
Administrator of the Energy Information Administration 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’), shall col-
lect, and make readily available to the public on the inter-
net website of the Energy Information Administration, in-
formation on exports by vessel of natural gas and crude 
oil, including— 
(1) forecasts for, and data on, those exports for 
the calendar year following the calendar year in 
which this Act is enacted and each calendar year 
thereafter; and 
(2) forecasts for those exports for multiyear pe-
riods after the date of enactment of this Act, as de-
termined appropriate by the Secretary. 
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140 
SEC. 421. SHIP AMERICA OFFICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 553 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘Subchapter IV—Ship America Office 
‘‘§ 55341. Establishment of Ship America Office 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Maritime Adminis-
trator shall establish within the Maritime Administration 
an office to be known as the ‘Ship America Office’. The 
Maritime Administrator shall appoint the head of the Ship 
America Office (in this section referred to as the ‘Ship 
America Associate Administrator’). 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Ship America Associate Adminis-
trator shall have the following duties: 
‘‘(1) Providing assistance to private sector enti-
ties, Federal financial assistance recipients, Federal 
agencies, Federal contractors, and owners and oper-
ators of oceangoing vessels of the United States to 
facilitate the movement of commercial and govern-
ment cargo on vessels of the United States in inter-
national commerce. 
‘‘(2) Maximizing compliance across Federal 
agencies with this chapter, section 2631 of title 10, 
United States Code, and any other cargo preference 
law of the United States. 
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141 
‘‘(3) Providing training and assistance to Fed-
eral employees, in all Federal agencies responsible 
for shipping preference cargo, on the legal obliga-
tions under this chapter, section 2631 of title 10, 
United States Code, and any other cargo preference 
law of the United States. 
‘‘(4) Supporting the efforts of the executive 
branch to develop and sustain a fleet of vessels of 
the United States and maritime industrial base to 
meet the sealift needs of Federal agencies. 
‘‘(5) Where practicable, making accessible, and 
regularly updating, the publicly available contact in-
formation for oceangoing vessels of the United 
States for the purposes of moving international com-
merce. 
‘‘(6) Publishing, and regularly updating, cen-
tralized information on the commercial benefits 
available to private sector entities for moving com-
mercial cargo on oceangoing vessels of the United 
States. 
‘‘(7) Preparing the reports under subsection 
(c). 
‘‘(c) REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this section, and biennially 
thereafter, the Maritime Administrator, acting through 
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142 
the Ship America Associate Administrator, shall report to 
the appropriate congressional committees (as defined in 
section 4 of the SHIPS for America Act of 2024) and 
the Maritime Security Board on— 
‘‘(1) the opportunities and challenges faced by 
commercial entities to move cargo on oceangoing 
vessels of the United States; and 
‘‘(2) recommendations to increase international 
commerce moving on vessels of the United States.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The table of sec-
tions for chapter 553 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER IV—SHIP AMERICA OFFICE 
‘‘55341. Establishment of Ship America Office.’’. 
Subtitle C—Regulatory Reform 
SEC. 431. ALTERNATE STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 33 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating sections 3317 and 3318 as 
sections 3318 and 3319, respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after section 3316 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 3317. Alternate standards 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, in con-
sultation with the Maritime Administrator, shall establish 
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143 
alternate standards to allow self-propelled vessels pro-
viding oceangoing transportation that are not documented 
under chapter 121 of this title to receive a certificate of 
inspection if the vessel will become a documented vessel. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—Under the program estab-
lished under subsection (a), a self-propelled vessel used to 
provide oceangoing transportation that is not documented 
under chapter 121 of this title shall be eligible for a certifi-
cate of inspection if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(1) the owner of the vessel has agreed to apply 
to have the vessel documented under chapter 121 
upon receiving the certificate; 
‘‘(2) at the time of the receipt of such certifi-
cate, the vessel is eligible for documentation under 
such chapter; 
‘‘(3) the vessel is classed by and designed in ac-
cordance with the rules of a classification society ac-
cepted by the Secretary; 
‘‘(4) the vessel complies with applicable inter-
national agreements and associated guidelines, as 
determined by the country in which the vessel was 
documented immediately before becoming docu-
mented under chapter 121; 
‘‘(5) the vessel has been assessed for cybersecu-
rity and surveillance risks; and 
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144 
‘‘(6) the country in which the vessel was docu-
mented immediately before becoming documented 
under chapter 121 has not been identified by the 
Secretary as inadequately enforcing international 
vessel regulations as to that vessel. 
‘‘(c) CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTIFICATE.— 
This section does not apply to a vessel after any date on 
which the vessel fails to comply with the applicable inter-
national agreements and associated guidelines referred to 
in subsection (b)(4). 
‘‘(d) RELIANCE ON CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may rely on 
a certification from the American Bureau of Ship-
ping or, subject to paragraph (2), another classifica-
tion society accepted by the Secretary to establish 
that a vessel is in compliance with the requirements 
of paragraphs (3), (4), and (6) of subsection (b) and 
of subsection (c). 
‘‘(2) FOREIGN CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY.—The 
Secretary may accept certification from a foreign 
classification society under paragraph (1) only— 
‘‘(A) to the extent that the government of 
the foreign country in which the society is 
headquartered provides access on a reciprocal 
basis to the American Bureau of Shipping; and 
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145 
‘‘(B) if the foreign classification society 
has offices and maintains records in the United 
States. 
‘‘(e) RULEMAKING PROCEDURE.—The Secretary may 
initiate a rulemaking procedure to implement this stand-
ard. 
‘‘(f) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be interpreted to affect requirements related to mer-
chant seamen credentials under part E of subtitle II of 
this title or the requirements related to manning of vessels 
under part F of such subtitle.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 33 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the items relating to sections 3317 and 3318 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘3317. Alternate standards. 
‘‘3318. Fees. 
‘‘3319. Penalties.’’. 
SEC. 432. RULEMAKING COMMITTEE ON COMMERCIAL 
MARITIME REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED
REGULATION.—The term ‘‘cov-
ered regulation’’— 
(A) means a commercial regulation or 
standard issued by the Coast Guard relating to 
the operation of vessels in foreign commerce, in-
cluding— 
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146 
(i) vessel design and engineering 
standards; 
(ii) merchant mariner training and 
credentialing; or 
(iii) vessel operating and environ-
mental standards; and 
(B) does not include any commercial regu-
lation or standard issued by the Coast Guard 
that exclusively applies to vessels in domestic 
commerce. 
(2) 
RULEMAKING
COMMITTEE.—The 
term 
‘‘rulemaking committee’’ means the committee es-
tablished under subsection (b). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating. 
(b) 
ESTABLISHMENT
OF
RULEMAKING
COM-
MITTEE.—There is established, in the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating, a rulemaking com-
mittee on commercial maritime regulations and standards 
to— 
(1) review, and develop findings and rec-
ommendations regarding, the covered regulations; 
and 
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(2) provide to the Secretary a report on oppor-
tunities to review and update regulations governing 
vessel design and engineering, vessel and facility op-
eration and environmental standards, and merchant 
mariner credentialing, in order to— 
(A) revitalize the merchant marine; and 
(B) better align, and limit redundancies 
between, the regulatory standards of the Coast 
Guard and the International Maritime Organi-
zation and international treaty requirements. 
(c) MEMBERS.— 
(1) 
COMPOSITION
OF
RULEMAKING
COM-
MITTEE.—The Secretary shall appoint the following 
as members of the rulemaking committee: 
(A) Each of the following Federal officers 
or employees, or their designees: 
(i) The Maritime Security Advisor. 
(ii) The Maritime Administrator. 
(iii) The Commandant of the Coast 
Guard. 
(iv) The Secretary of Commerce. 
(v) The Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency. 
(vi) The Secretary of the Navy. 
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(vii) The Chair of the Federal Mari-
time Commission. 
(viii) The chief United States delegate 
to the International Maritime Organiza-
tion. 
(B) Representatives from recognized classi-
fication societies, including the American Bu-
reau of Shipping. 
(C) Representatives of industry, includ-
ing— 
(i) owners and operators of vessels in 
domestic and foreign commerce of the 
United States; 
(ii) shipbuilders; and 
(iii) other representatives of industry 
the Secretary determines appropriate. 
(D) Individuals with a merchant mariner 
credential, as defined in section 2101 of title 
46, United States Code. 
(E) Representatives of maritime labor or-
ganizations. 
(F) Experts in maritime safety and regu-
latory matters. 
(G) Other stakeholders the Secretary de-
termines appropriate. 
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(2) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A member of the rule-
making committee shall be appointed for the 
life of the rulemaking committee. 
(B) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the rule-
making committee— 
(i) shall not affect the powers of the 
rulemaking committee; and 
(ii) shall be filled in the same manner 
as the original appointment. 
(3) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
The Secretary shall select a Chairperson and Vice 
Chairperson from among the members of the rule-
making committee. 
(d) MEETINGS.— 
(1) INITIAL
MEETING.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall convene the rulemaking committee 
for the first meeting of the rulemaking committee. 
(2) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of 
the rulemaking committee shall constitute a quorum, 
but a lesser number of members may hold hearings. 
(e) DUTIES OF COMMITTEE.— 
(1) CONSIDERATIONS.—The rulemaking com-
mittee shall consider each of the following: 
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(A) How the covered regulations interact 
with and compare to the treaty requirements 
and regulations established by the International 
Maritime Organization, including comparisons 
and interactions on the basis of— 
(i) safety; 
(ii) cost; 
(iii) enforceability and compliance; 
and 
(iv) international competitiveness. 
(B) The benefits and challenges vessel 
owners and operators and United States mari-
ners encounter when complying with both regu-
lations of the International Maritime Organiza-
tion and the covered regulations. 
(C) The role that covered regulations play 
in enhancing the size and strength of the mer-
chant marine and the domestic and inter-
national fleet of the United States. 
(D) Recommended changes to covered reg-
ulations, and regulatory frameworks, to better 
promote alignment with international standards 
and the standards of countries that are allies 
and partners, with a focus on— 
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(i) increasing opportunities for quali-
fied mariners that enter the merchant ma-
rine and reducing the barriers that lead 
qualified mariners to leave the merchant 
marine; 
(ii) increasing the number of vessels 
documented under the laws of the United 
States that are operating in domestic and 
foreign commerce; 
(iii) enhancing United States leader-
ship within the International Maritime Or-
ganization and other international treaty 
organizations with a focus on the maritime 
industry; 
(iv) streamlining regulatory processes 
and processing timelines to minimize dupli-
cative reviews and eliminate preventable 
delays; and 
(v) maintaining and enhancing the 
safety and security of the merchant ma-
rine. 
(E) Recommended changes to covered reg-
ulations and regulatory frameworks that govern 
mariner education training requirements, which 
may include— 
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(i) expanding the pool of qualified in-
structors for mariner training programs; 
(ii) streamlining requirements related 
to training facility size and design to im-
prove operational efficiencies at mariner 
training facilities, including requirements 
related to classroom size and design; 
(iii) standardizing and streamlining 
training course and curriculum approval 
and evaluation to provide more certainty to 
mariner training programs; and 
(iv) enhancing opportunities for mar-
iner training programs to flexibly integrate 
sea-time into course instruction, consistent 
with treaty requirements and regulations 
established by the International Maritime 
Organization. 
(F) Any other matters the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the rulemaking 
committee shall submit to the Secretary a report 
that includes the findings and recommended changes 
to covered regulations of the rulemaking committee, 
as required under paragraph (1). 
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(f) POWERS OF RULEMAKING COMMITTEE.— 
(1) HEARINGS.—The rulemaking committee 
may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times 
and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
evidence as the rulemaking committee considers ad-
visable to carry out this section. 
(2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The rulemaking com-
mittee may secure directly from a Federal de-
partment or agency such information as the 
rulemaking committee considers necessary to 
carry out this section. 
(B) FURNISHING
INFORMATION.—On re-
quest of the Chairperson of the rulemaking 
committee, the head of the department or agen-
cy shall furnish the information to the rule-
making committee. 
(g) RULEMAKING COMMITTEE PERSONNEL MAT-
TERS.— 
(1) NO
COMPENSATION.—A member of the 
rulemaking committee shall not be compensated for 
service on the rulemaking committee. 
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the rule-
making committee shall be allowed travel expenses, 
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 
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authorized for employees of agencies under sub-
chapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
Code, while away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of services for the 
rulemaking committee. 
(h) ADMINISTRATION.—Except as specified otherwise 
in this section, the rulemaking committee shall be treated 
as a committee established under chapter 151 of title 46, 
United States Code, for purposes of section 15109 of such 
title. 
(i) TERMINATION.—The rulemaking committee shall 
terminate on the earlier of— 
(1) the date that is 90 days after the date on 
which the rulemaking committee submits the report 
under subsection (e)(2); or 
(2) the date that is 7 years after the date on 
which the rulemaking committee is established. 
(j) DUTIES
OF
THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary 
shall— 
(1) not later than 30 days after receiving the 
rulemaking committee’s report under subsection 
(e)(2), submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress, and make publicly available, a copy of such 
report and the Secretary’s views on the rec-
ommendations of the committee; and 
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(2) not later than 90 days after submitting the 
report under paragraph (1)— 
(A) initiate a rulemaking activity and 
make such policy and guidance updates deter-
mined necessary by the Secretary to address the 
consensus recommendations reached by the 
rulemaking committee under subsection (e); 
(B) submit a report to the appropriate 
committees of Congress identifying the rec-
ommendations of the rulemaking committee 
that require legislative changes; and 
(C) submit a report to the Secretary of 
State identifying recommendations of the rule-
making committee that require changes to trea-
ty requirements and regulations established by 
the International Maritime Organization, in-
cluding recommendations that should inform 
the policy of the United States as a member of 
the International Maritime Organization. 
SEC. 433. AMENDMENTS TO SHIPOWNERS’ LIMITATION OF 
LIABILITY ACT OF 1851. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 30523 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
following: 
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‘‘(a) LIMIT OF OWNER LIABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sec-
tion 30524 of this title, the liability of— 
‘‘(A) the owner of a vessel of the United 
States for any claim, debt, or liability described 
in subsection (b) shall not exceed the value of 
the vessel and pending freight; and 
‘‘(B) the owner of a foreign vessel for any 
claim, debt, or liability described in subsection 
(b) shall not exceed the amount that is 10 times 
the value of the vessel and pending freight. 
‘‘(2) MULTIPLE OWNERS.—If a vessel has more 
than one owner, the proportionate share of the liabil-
ity under paragraph (1) of any one such owner shall 
not exceed that owner’s proportionate interest in the 
vessel and pending freight.’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(c) CLAIMS NOT SUBJECT TO LIMITATION.—Sub-
section (a) does not apply to— 
‘‘(1) a claim for wages; or 
‘‘(2) with respect to the liability of an owner of 
a foreign vessel, a claim, debt, or liability arising 
from personal injury or wrongful death of a person 
who was not a crewmember or passenger of the for-
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157 
eign vessel at the time the injury (including fatal in-
jury, if applicable) occurred.’’. 
(b) AMENDMENT TO CESSATION OF CERTAIN AC-
TIONS.—Section 30529(c) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘the matter in question’’ and in-
serting ‘‘a matter subject to limitation under section 
30523’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to any liability subject 
to section 30523(a) of title 46, United States Code, that 
arises on or after March 25, 2024. 
TITLE V—SHIPBUILDING 
Subtitle A—Shipbuilding Financial 
Incentives 
SEC. 501. SHIPBUILDING FINANCIAL INCENTIVES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Part C of subtitle V of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 
537 the following: 
‘‘CHAPTER 538—SHIPBUILDING 
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES 
‘‘§ 53801. Shipbuilding financial incentives 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Maritime Adminis-
trator shall establish a program that, in accordance with 
the requirements of this section, provides Federal financial 
assistance to covered entities to— 
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‘‘(1) aid in the construction of a vessel that 
shall be documented under the laws of the United 
States; or 
‘‘(2) incentivize a qualified shipyard investment. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CON-
GRESS.—The term ‘appropriate committees of Con-
gress’ means the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the Committee on Appro-
priations of the Senate and the Committee on 
Armed Services and the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(2) COVERED ENTITY.—The term ‘covered en-
tity’ means— 
‘‘(A) any proposed vessel purchaser who is 
a citizen of the United States; or 
‘‘(B) any shipyard of the United States 
with the ability, experience, financial resources, 
and other qualifications to construct or repair a 
military vessel or a vessel to be used in the for-
eign commerce of the United States. 
‘‘(3) FOREIGN COMMERCE.—The term ‘foreign 
commerce’ means— 
‘‘(A) commerce or trade between the 
United States, its territories or possessions, or 
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the District of Columbia, and a foreign country; 
and 
‘‘(B) commerce or trade between foreign 
countries. 
‘‘(4) FOREIGN COUNTRY OF CONCERN; FOREIGN 
ENTITY OF CONCERN.—The terms ‘foreign country 
of concern’ and ‘foreign entity of concern’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 4 of the 
SHIPS for America Act of 2024. 
‘‘(5) QUALIFIED SHIPYARD INVESTMENT.—The 
term ‘qualified shipyard investment’ means an in-
vestment to construct, modernize, or expand— 
‘‘(A) a shipyard of the United States that 
constructs or repairs civilian or military vessels; 
or 
‘‘(B) a manufacturing facility— 
‘‘(i) that is— 
‘‘(I) a component supplier; 
‘‘(II) a subcomponent supplier; 
‘‘(III) a manufacturing equip-
ment supplier; or 
‘‘(IV) a steel plate manufacturing 
facility; 
‘‘(ii) that is based in the United 
States; and 
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‘‘(iii)(I) at which at least 50 percent 
of the products produced will be sold to 
shipyards of the United States or used to 
construct vessels of the United States; or 
‘‘(II) at which the investment will 
more than double the facility’s capacity to 
produce products to be sold to shipyards of 
the United Sates or used to construct ves-
sels of the United States, as determined by 
the Administrator. 
‘‘(c) PROCEDURE.— 
‘‘(1) APPLICATION.—A covered entity desiring 
financial assistance under this section shall submit 
an application to the Maritime Administrator. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY.—In order for a covered enti-
ty to qualify for financial assistance under this sec-
tion, the covered entity shall— 
‘‘(A) for financial assistance related to con-
struction of a vessel of the United States as de-
scribed in subsection (a)(1)— 
‘‘(i) enter into an agreement with the 
Maritime Administrator establishing that 
the vessel that is constructed with Federal 
financial assistance shall be, for a period of 
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not less than 10 years, documented under 
the laws of the United States; and 
‘‘(ii) agree to carry out all construc-
tion in a shipyard of the United States as 
the result of competitive bidding, after due 
advertisement, with the right reserved by 
the Administrator to disapprove any or all 
bids; 
‘‘(B) for financial assistance related to 
qualified shipyard investments as described in 
subsection (a)(2), use the financial assistance 
award amounts to incentivize investments in— 
‘‘(i) facilities or equipment related to 
shipbuilding or ship repair; or 
‘‘(ii) maritime component suppliers, 
subcomponent suppliers, and steel plate 
manufacturing facilities with over 50 per-
cent maritime use in each such investment; 
and 
‘‘(C) make commitments to worker and 
community investment, including through— 
‘‘(i) programs to expand employment 
opportunity for economically disadvantaged 
individuals; and 
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