This bill would remove long‑standing limits on who can move goods by ship between U.S. ports. It lets more vessels get permission to operate in “coastwise trade,” as long as they meet U.S. safety and security rules set by the Coast Guard, which must issue regulations within 90 days after the bill becomes law.

It also cleans up related shipping laws. It repeals a section on losing coastwise privileges and updates rules that reference tankers, liquefied gas ships, small passenger vessels, oil spill response vessels, and how some vessels are handled in court sales, to match the new policy.

• Who is affected: Companies that ship goods between U.S. ports; operators of tankers, liquefied gas carriers, small passenger vessels, and oil spill response vessels.
• What changes: More vessels can qualify to carry goods between U.S. ports if they meet safety and security standards; certain older restrictions and penalties are removed or updated.
• When: The Coast Guard must set the implementing rules within 90 days after enactment.