S. 2535, the Protecting Jobs in American Ports Act, would allow passenger ships that were not built in the United States to operate on routes between American ports, a change to current law that restricts such service to domestically-built vessels. The bill amends federal shipping law to enable foreign-built passenger vessels to receive "coastwise endorsement," which permits them to carry passengers on domestic routes either directly between U.S. ports or through foreign ports. This legislation would affect cruise lines and other passenger vessel operators, potentially expanding their ability to serve domestic travel markets. The bill includes no specific funding allocations or implementation timelines, focusing instead on regulatory changes to maritime law. The measure was introduced in late July 2025 and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee for consideration.
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