Bill > HR665

This bill amends existing maritime shipping regulations to provide an exemption from coastwise laws (which typically restrict maritime shipping between U.S. ports to U.S.-built and U.S.-owned vessels) for certain noncontiguous trade routes. Specifically, the bill allows foreign-owned vessels to operate in noncontiguous trade routes (such as shipping between Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the mainland United States) unless three specific conditions are met: at least three owners or operators of U.S. qualified vessels regularly operate on that route, each of those operators transports at least 20 percent of the goods on the route, and none of those operators are under common ownership. The bill aims to increase shipping competition and potentially reduce transportation costs for noncontiguous U.S. territories by making it easier for foreign vessels to serve these routes when U.S. vessel operators do not comprehensively serve the market. By modifying Section 55101(b) of Title 46 of the United States Code, the legislation provides a nuanced approach to maritime shipping regulations that balances protectionist maritime policies with the need for efficient transportation in geographically challenging trade routes.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/665/all-info