Next Generation Shipping Act

Support for Workers' Wages: Under Section 3(g), all laborers and mechanics working on construction, alteration, installation, or repair projects funded by the program must be paid prevailing wages determined by the Secretary of Labor, ensuring fair pay for workers.

Workforce Training and Development: Under Section 3(c)(8), the program prioritizes projects that support workforce training and development, including domestic maritime training centers of excellence and nonprofit institutions providing Coast Guard-approved training, which helps workers build valuable skills for new technology.

Environmental and Health Protections: Under Section 3(c)(7), the program prioritizes projects that advance environmental justice and actively engage communities affected by maritime transport, helping to protect local populations from pollution and environmental burdens.

Financial Support for Clean Technology: Under Section 3(b), the Secretary of Transportation can provide grants, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees to eligible entities, making it easier to develop and deploy cleaner, zero-emission shipping technologies.

Exclusion of Foreign Governments: Under Section 2(7)(B), foreign governments are explicitly excluded from being eligible entities, which restricts participation in the funding program to domestic and approved U.S.-based groups.

Administrative Spending: Under Section 3(f), the Secretary of Transportation is permitted to use up to 10 percent of the funds made available for the program to cover administrative costs, which reduces the total amount of money going directly to actual projects and communities.