Open America's Ports Act

The Open America's Ports Act repeals the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 and modifies the Jones Act to exempt passenger vessels from U.S. coastwise trade requirements when operating between U.S. ports, including routes that travel via a foreign port. This directly affects passenger vessel operators who previously had to comply with the Jones Act’s rules requiring U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed vessels for such routes. The key provision adds specific exemptions in the Jones Act for qualifying vessels and removes references to the repealed law. The adjustment streamlines regulations for passenger services on these routes without altering other U.S. maritime laws.