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.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · December 18, 2024
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Accountability, Education and the Workforce, Financial Services, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee co
# Summary of H.R. 10493: SHIPS for America Act of 2024
This comprehensive maritime legislation aims to revitalize U.S. shipping, shipbuilding, and the merchant marine workforce to strengthen national security and economic competitiveness. The bill represents a major federal investment in maritime industries with strategic focus on countering China's dominance in global shipping.
**Key Programs and Funding**
The bill establishes a Maritime Security Trust Fund to finance multiple initiatives through fiscal years 2025-2034. Major programs include a Strategic Commercial Fleet (up to 250 vessels receiving annual operating support, starting at $150 million in 2025 and scaling to $2.1 billion by 2034), Shipbuilding Financial Incentives ($250 million annually), and expanded Maritime Security and Tanker Security Fleets. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy receives $1.02 billion for campus modernization, while State maritime academies get $120 million annually for training ship operations.
**Maritime Workforce Development**
The legislation creates multiple pathways to grow the merchant marine workforce. It establishes a Merchant Marine Career Retention Program allowing credentialed mariners to maintain licenses while working ashore, offers public service loan forgiveness for merchant mariners, provides military-to-maritime transition assistance, and launches a nationwide recruiting campaign for maritime careers. New tax credits and educational benefits encourage individuals to enter shipbuilding and maritime professions.
**Cargo Preference and Trade**
Beginning in 180 days, 100 percent of U.S. government-financed cargo must ship on American vessels (up from 50 percent). New requirements mandate that imported goods from China gradually increase shipment on U.S.-built, U.S.-crewed vessels, starting at 1 percent in year five and reaching 10 percent by year fourteen. Natural gas and crude oil exports face similar requirements to use U.S.-documented vessels.
**Governance and Oversight**
The bill creates a Maritime Security Advisor position on the National Security Council and establishes a Maritime Security Board comprising cabinet secretaries and maritime agency heads to coordinate policy. New regulatory committees will modernize merchant mariner credentialing systems and align U.S. maritime regulations with international standards.
**Timeline and Implementation**
Most provisions take effect immediately or within 180 days. The Strategic Commercial Fleet begins
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