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119-hr-667119th CongressWALLET

Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2024

Sponsored By: Representative Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

In Committee

Summary

Authorizes certain foreign‑flag freight vessels to carry noncontiguous U.S. trade when they hold a certificate of documentation from the Secretary of Transportation. It links that access to new documentation rules, labor protections, and environmental and compliance requirements for vessels and operators.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger protections for maritime workers

If enacted, this bill would let vessel employers join an authorized Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation plan. If an employer joins, masters and crew would be treated as employees under that Act and the employer's liability would be exclusive. The bill would let injured workers sue nonresident maritime employers in the U.S. district court nearest the injury. It would also require minimum international labor and environmental standards for vessels in U.S. coastwise trade.

New rules for foreign freight ships

If enacted, this bill would allow certain foreign-flag freight ships to get U.S. documentation for noncontiguous trade. To qualify, a vessel must be at least 1,000 gross tons, be foreign-built and foreign-registered, and employ U.S. citizens as required. The bill would let such ships transfer to foreign registry after documentation and allow the Secretary to approve transfers before formal documentation. It would also require non-U.S. owners who irregularly do coastwise trips to name an agent, follow U.S. laws, and post ownership and trip data aboard the ship.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

HI • D

Cosponsors

  • Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]

    GU • R

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 8/1/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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