Transportation (Ports) in United States

in committee · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 3842: To amend title 46, United States Code, to include the replacement or purchase of additional cargo handling equipment as an eligible purpose for Capital Construction Funds, and for other purposes.

This bill amends U.S. Code to allow marine terminals to use Capital Construction Funds for purchasing or replacing U.S.-made cargo handling equipment (like cranes or loaders), or foreign-made equipment only if U.S. options are unavailable or unsuitable. It directly affects U.S. marine terminals operating at ports, enabling them to fund equipment upgrades with federal funds. Key provisions include banning purchases of Chinese-made cranes, prohibiting fully automated equipment that could cause job losses, and requiring the Secretary to annually publish U.S. equipment availability. The bill updates existing fund rules without creating new programs, focusing on domestic equipment use and job impact.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight Ports Vehicle Registration

in committee · United States · Senate Oct 21, 2025

S 1278: Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act

S 1278, the Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act, directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to improve coastal marine fog forecasts. The bill requires expanding marine fog observations using buoys, weather stations on vessels, satellites, and advanced data analysis, while also enhancing fog modeling accuracy and NOAA's advisory communication. This aims to directly benefit maritime safety and reduce economic disruptions for ships and coastal industries affected by fog events. The project must include stakeholder and tribal engagement, with a detailed implementation plan due within one year of enactment.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Ports

in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2025

HR 4375: Great Lakes Icebreaker Act of 2025

This bill requires the Coast Guard to develop a strategy for building a new Great Lakes icebreaker (at least matching the Mackinaw cutter's capabilities) within 90 days of enactment, including cost and timeline estimates. It mandates a 5-year pilot program to test whether the current fleet can keep key waterways open 95% of the time during ice seasons, with annual reports to Congress on results and performance measures. The bill also updates reporting requirements to publicly disclose the Coast Guard's costs for meeting icebreaking standards, including annual briefings to relevant congressional committees on fiscal year costs. These provisions directly affect the Coast Guard's operations and Great Lakes shipping industries reliant on open waterways.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Ports

in committee · United States · House Jul 10, 2025

HR 4325: Clean Shipping Act of 2025

The Clean Shipping Act of 2025 sets new federal standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from commercial shipping in U.S. waters. It requires vessels over 400 gross tons operating on covered voyages (between U.S. ports or U.S. ports and foreign ports) to gradually lower the carbon intensity of their fuel, aiming for 100% reduction by 2050 through phased targets (e.g., 30% reduction by 2030, 58% by 2034). Ship owners must report annual fuel carbon intensity and emissions data, while the EPA must develop consistent reporting methods aligned with international standards. The law applies directly to commercial shipping companies operating eligible vessels and includes flexibility for feasibility adjustments if technological or economic challenges arise.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Climate Change Ports

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2025

S 2537: Open America's Ports Act

This bill repeals the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 (PVSA) and adjusts the Jones Act requirements for passenger vessels. It specifically exempts vessels transporting passengers between U.S. ports (including routes via foreign ports) from domestic vessel ownership, crew citizenship, and Navy Reserve requirements under the Jones Act. The key provision removes barriers for foreign-flagged vessels operating on these passenger routes, while maintaining compliance with all other U.S. laws. This directly affects passenger vessel operators seeking to serve U.S. coastal routes using foreign ports as transit points.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Ports

passed · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 2390: Maritime Supply Chain Security Act

The Maritime Supply Chain Security Act (HR 2390) amends federal port infrastructure funding rules to allow the use of existing funds for replacing port crane hardware or software linked to the Chinese government. It specifically targets equipment installed, provided, or maintained by China's government entities or its agencies. This change directly affects U.S. ports that currently use such Chinese-sourced crane systems, enabling them to upgrade or replace these components using federal port development funds. The bill modifies existing law to explicitly include crane replacement projects under eligible port resilience initiatives.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Ports Transportation Funding

passed · United States · House Dec 16, 2025

HR 4183: Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the agency that regulates ocean shipping in the United States, through fiscal year 2029 with increased funding from $49.2 million in 2026 to $57 million in 2029. It creates new complaint mechanisms for addressing anticompetitive practices by shipping exchanges and establishes three new advisory committees (for shippers, ports, and carriers) to provide input on ocean shipping policies. The bill also requires the FMC to develop rules for containerized freight price indexes and mandates annual reporting on foreign practices affecting ocean shipping competitiveness. These changes aim to improve oversight of the international ocean freight system while reducing regulatory duplication for industry participants.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight Ports

in committee · United States · House Jun 13, 2025

HR 4003: Economic Opportunity for Border Communities Act

HR 4003, the Economic Opportunity for Border Communities Act, directs the Commerce Secretary to create a national strategy aimed at boosting economic growth in communities within 15 miles of a U.S. border port of entry. The strategy must assess tax incentives, recommend policy changes to increase jobs in logistics, trade, manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture, and coordinate with other agencies on housing, infrastructure, and transportation programs. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress within one year detailing this strategy and its recommendations for achieving goals like strengthening manufacturing competitiveness and lowering trade costs. This bill establishes a framework for federal action but does not directly fund specific projects or alter existing programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Ports Tags Economic Development

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 25, 2025

S 1119: FRIDGE Act of 2025

S 1119, the FRIDGE Act of 2025, authorizes $1 million annually (2026-2030) for technical assistance to improve cold chain and port infrastructure in developing countries. This directly supports U.S. agricultural exporters by reducing the loss of food and exports due to inadequate infrastructure. The bill requires the Secretary to provide needs assessments, training, and technical help to enhance infrastructure capabilities, specifically targeting cold chain systems that prevent spoilage during transport. Funding is strictly limited to these infrastructure improvements for U.S. agricultural commodities. The law amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to establish this new program.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Ports

in committee · United States · House Dec 1, 2025

HR 4341: International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act of 2025

This bill establishes fees on carbon emissions and air pollutants from maritime shipping, with reporting requirements starting in 2027. Ship operators must report detailed voyage data including fuel consumption, ports visited, and cargo details, while importers of cargo bound for the U.S. face similar reporting and fee obligations. Revenue from these fees funds specific decarbonization programs: 25% supports modernizing Jones Act vessels, 25% funds low-carbon fuel research, 10% each goes to harbor craft and ferry electrification, and 5% each supports workforce development and air monitoring in port communities. The bill creates a structured funding mechanism to reduce emissions from shipping while requiring transparency through comprehensive reporting.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Climate Change Freight Ports Transportation Funding

All transportation bills