S.Amdt. 6376

This amendment aims to increase the use of United States vessels for international commerce and strengthen the domestic maritime industrial base. It proposes several changes to federal law to prioritize American ships for transporting cargo, specifically targeting energy exports and imports from China.

Key Additions and Changes:

• Ship America Office: Establishes a new office within the Maritime Administration to help private and federal entities move cargo on U.S. vessels, provide training on cargo preference laws, and create a verification program for products transported on U.S. ships.

• Port Priority: Allows the Secretary of Transportation to give U.S. vessels priority at U.S. ports over vessels from "covered nations."

• Energy Export Requirements:

  • Requires a growing percentage of natural gas and crude oil exports to be transported on U.S. documented vessels.
  • Sets specific timelines for these percentages to increase over the next 22 years.
  • Mandates that certain vessels be built in the U.S. or undergo retrofit work in U.S. shipyards using U.S.-manufactured components.

• Chinese Goods Importation: Requires shippers to move a specific increasing percentage of goods manufactured in the People's Republic of China on U.S. vessels. Failure to comply will result in fines.

• Incentives and Assessments: Requires a federal assessment to identify tax benefits, import duty modifications, and other privileges that would encourage the use of U.S. vessels for commercial cargo.

• Mariner Training: Requires that those exporting natural gas and crude oil provide training and experience opportunities for individuals with merchant mariner credentials.