What does Preamble of SHIPS for America Act of 2025 do?

This bill, formally titled 'A BILL To support the national defense and economic security of the United States by supporting vessels, ports, and shipyards of the United States and the U.S. maritime workforce,' aims to support the national defense and economic security of the United States. The bill intends to support vessels, ports, and shipyards within the United States. It also seeks to support the U.S. maritime workforce.

What does FINDINGS. of SHIPS for America Act of 2025 do?

This section outlines findings related to the state of the United States' maritime industry and its strategic importance. It highlights a decline in U.S. oceangoing vessels, shipbuilding capacity, and the maritime workforce compared to other nations, particularly China. The findings emphasize the U.S. reliance on foreign vessels for international commerce and the potential vulnerabilities this creates for national defense and economic stability. The text notes significant infrastructure maintenance backlogs impacting bridges, ports, and inland waterways. Recent threats to commercial shipping by the Houthis are cited as an example of the fragility of global supply chains and the need for U.S. naval presence. The section concludes that a strong U.S. commercial fleet enhances military readiness, strategic competition with China, and national security.

What does SENSE OF CONGRESS. of SHIPS for America Act of 2025 do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress regarding the United States' maritime environment and industry. It aims to create a more favorable domestic and global maritime environment for U.S. vessels engaged in international commerce. The section emphasizes increasing domestic shipbuilding and ship repair capacity to enhance national security and military sealift. It seeks to revitalize the U.S. international fleet and foster a comparative advantage through incentives and regulatory reforms. The text highlights the need to ensure sufficient resources are available for defense and essential economic activities. It recognizes the importance of a vibrant commercial shipbuilding industry for supply chain resilience and military support. The section calls for improved coordination among federal agencies involved in the maritime industry. It advocates for investments in oceangoing commercial vessels built, documented, and crewed in the United States. The text encourages the shipping of commercial cargo on U.S. vessels to grow the international fleet. It emphasizes workforce development, including removing barriers to mariner training and expanding maritime education programs.

What does DEFINITIONS. of SHIPS for America Act of 2025 do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. “Appropriate committees of Congress” are specified for both the Senate and the House of Representatives. “Domestic commerce” is defined as transportation between places within the United States. “Foreign commerce” includes trade between the U.S. and foreign countries, as well as trade between foreign countries. “Foreign country of concern” includes countries designated under section 4872(d) of title 10, United States Code, and countries deemed detrimental to U.S. national security or foreign policy. “Foreign entity” encompasses various entities including foreign governments, individuals, and organizations, with expansive definitions of control and association. “Foreign entity of concern” is defined based on designations by various agencies, involvement in specific criminal activities, or determination of detrimental conduct. “Vessel of the United States” is defined according to section 116 of title 46, United States Code.

What does MARITIME SECURITY ADVISOR; MARITIME SECURITY BOARD. of SHIPS for America Act of 2025 do?

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What does MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. of SHIPS for America Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 50402, concerning the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee. The Secretary of Transportation is replaced with the Maritime Security Advisor and Maritime Security Board. The Maritime Security Advisor appoints members representing the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Commerce, Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Maritime Administration, Department of Agriculture, and State Department. Additional members are appointed to represent private sector entities, including merchant mariners, port stakeholders, academia, and labor. The majority and minority leaders of the Senate, and the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives, each appoint three members from the private sector. The Maritime Security Advisor can appoint additional members from agencies like the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Members not representing federal agencies serve three-year terms and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

What does DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY; AUTHORIZATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE of SHIPS for America Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes direct hire authorities for the Maritime Administration and the Coast Guard, allowing them to appoint candidates to competitive service positions without adhering to certain standard hiring procedures. To utilize these authorities, public notice must be given, a 'critical hiring need' must be determined, and consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management is required. A 'critical hiring need' is defined as personnel necessary for the implementation of this Act and associated work. The Maritime Administration's direct hire authority is for positions related to the Maritime Administration. The Coast Guard's direct hire authority is for positions within offices under the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy. The section authorizes appropriations from the Maritime Security Trust Fund to cover administrative expenses. Specifically, $30,000,000 is authorized annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2035 for the Maritime Administration and the Coast Guard, and $2,000,000 annually for the Federal Maritime Commission.

What does IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. of SHIPS for America Act of 2025 do?

This section requires the Maritime Administrator and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to submit implementation plans within 60 days of the Act's enactment. The implementation plans must detail administrative restructuring needs, responsible offices, personnel and training plans, barriers to implementation, and a timeline. Briefings to Congress are required within 15 days of submitting the implementation plans. Biannual updates on the implementation plans must be submitted to Congress for two years following the initial submission. The Comptroller General of the United States will conduct reviews of the Act's implementation every two years for ten years and submit the results to Congress.

What does FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION REPORT ON VESSELS OF THE UNITED of SHIPS for America Act of 2025 do?

This section requires the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to annually submit a report to the Maritime Security Board and Congress. The report evaluates the competitiveness of U.S. vessels in foreign commerce. The Maritime Security Board will use the report's findings to inform the National Maritime Strategy and other activities. The report must include metrics on the carriage of foreign commerce on U.S. vessels. It must also detail price parity comparisons between U.S. and foreign vessels by market. The report should identify markets where the U.S. can compete with relative price parity. The report must identify markets where U.S. interests paid above-average rates. The report will assess foreign vessel registries of peer competitor countries, examining government roles, fleet sizes, and price parity. The assessment of peer competitor countries will consider the number of domestically built versus foreign-built vessels in their registries.

What does MARITIME SECURITY TRUST FUND ESTABLISHED. of SHIPS for America Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a Maritime Security Trust Fund for use in supporting the merchant marine and the maritime industrial base. The Fund will be credited with receipts from various sources, including tonnage taxes, duties on vessel equipment and repair, and penalties related to vessel operations. Revenue from seizures and forfeitures of maritime vessels will also be credited to the Fund. The total balance in the Maritime Security Trust Fund is capped at $20,000,000,000. Expenditures from the Fund are authorized before October 1, 2035, and must align with the SHIPS for America Act of 2025.

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SHIPS for America Act of 2025

Last updated: 4/30/2025 · Introduced: 4/30/2025

Author: Mark Kelly (D-AZ)

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119th Congressin committeeHR. 3151(In Committee)Official page

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