Open America's Waters Act

HR 3940, the Open America's Waters Act, removes restrictions preventing foreign vessels from engaging in U.S. coastwise trade (shipping between U.S. ports). The bill amends Title 46 of the U.S. Code to eliminate the requirement that vessels must be "qualified under the laws of the United States" to receive a coastwise endorsement. Instead, foreign vessels meeting all applicable U.S. safety and security standards can now operate in coastwise trade. This directly affects commercial shipping companies, both domestic and foreign, by expanding eligibility for coastal shipping routes while maintaining safety and security requirements through new Coast Guard regulations.