The SHIPS for America Act of 2025 is a comprehensive maritime revitalization bill addressing the dramatic decline of U.S. shipbuilding and commercial shipping capacity, which has fallen from over 80 shipyards post-WWII to just 20 today and from 10,000+ commercial vessels to only 80 in international trade, while China has built overwhelming dominance. The bill establishes a $20 billion Maritime Security Trust Fund (2026-2035) to finance multiple initiatives, including a Strategic Commercial Fleet of 10-250 U.S.-documented vessels, upgraded cargo preference requirements raising federal shipment requirements from 50% to 100% on American vessels, and escalating mandates requiring 1-10% of imports from foreign ports and energy exports to use American-built vessels. The legislation also creates the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation, funds the Merchant Marine Academy with $125 million annually and regional maritime incubators with $50 million annually, streamlines merchant mariner credentialing, and offers workforce development programs and student loan forgiveness to support a trained maritime workforce for national defense and economic security. Operating payments for Strategic Commercial Fleet vessels begin at $150 million in 2026 and escalate to $2.1 billion by 2035, with all funding authorized through October 1, 2035, while the bill restricts foreign entities of concern—particularly China—from U.S. maritime infrastructure and shipyards.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.