Merchant Marine Allies Partnership Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
In Committee
Summary
Expand allied participation in U.S. coastwise trade. This bill would create a Foreign Ally Shipping Registry and let qualifying vessels owned, flagged, or crewed by nationals of listed allied countries seek time-limited coastwise authorizations to move merchandise between U.S. points, directly or via foreign ports. Authorizations would run up to 5 years and be renewable. A vessel would lose its authorization if it ceases to be a qualified vessel and owners must notify the Secretary within 30 days of any change. The Secretary of State would maintain the Registry with Coast Guard input and may remove countries, with immediate removal if a war is declared. NATO members would be included by default unless removed.
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- Vessel owners and operators: Owners of "qualified vessels" could get renewable coastwise endorsements for up to 5 years and face revocation rules tied to Registry status.
- Workers: Crewing citizenship and credential rules would not apply to U.S. nationals or nationals of listed allied countries employed on authorized qualified vessels.
- Shipyards and trade: Repairs done in shipyards of countries on the Registry would be exempt from duties for U.S.-documented vessels, creating a targeted trade and repair pathway for allied shipyards.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
No duties on allied ship repairs
If enacted, documented vessels repaired in a shipyard located in a country on the Foreign Ally Shipping Registry would not owe customs duties on the repair costs. This would apply only to documented vessels and only when repairs happen in a Registry-listed country’s shipyard. This could lower maintenance costs for owners and operators who use those shipyards.
New coastwise access for allied ships
If enacted, DOT could authorize certain allied-owned and flagged vessels to carry goods between U.S. points for up to 5 years, with 5-year renewals. To qualify, a vessel would need ownership and flagging tied to countries on a new Foreign Ally Shipping Registry. U.S. or Registry-country nationals working on an authorized vessel would not face some U.S. crewing citizenship or credential rules. The Secretary of State could remove a country from the Registry with notice; removal would take effect after 30 days, or immediately if Congress declares war. If a vessel or country stops qualifying, its authorization would be revoked—generally within 30 days—and vessels built in unlisted countries could not do coastwise trade while unlisted.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
HI • D
Cosponsors
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 8/1/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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