Sponsors (4)
The bill shifts federal support and clearer statutory definitions toward U.S.-made vessels and cargo-handling equipment to boost domestic industry and protect jobs, at the cost of higher procurement and compliance costs, potential regulatory uncertainty, and limits on vendor options and automation-driven productivity gains.
U.S. manufacturers and maritime workers see increased demand because ports and capital construction funds are steered toward U.S.-built cargo-handling equipment and vessels.
Ports, terminals, and fund users gain clearer statutory definitions and guidance about eligible assets and permissible fund uses, reducing some legal ambiguity about what is covered.
Terminals retain operational flexibility and improved access to financing for equipment and vessel modernization (including using capital construction funds), helping reduce delays and maintain port operations when domestic supply is insufficient.
Terminals, shippers, and taxpayers may face higher procurement and operating costs because U.S.-build preferences and bans on certain foreign equipment (e.g., Chinese cranes) can raise prices and reduce vendor competition.
The bill creates regulatory uncertainty and potential delays because terminal operators get discretion to judge U.S. supply sufficiency and the Secretary has discretion to determine 'net loss of jobs,' which can slow procurement decisions.
Smaller terminal operators and local governments face added administrative and compliance burdens to implement new procurement preferences, document eligibility, and establish/manage capital construction funds under the new rules.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Introduced June 9, 2025 by Mike Ezell · Last progress June 9, 2025
Expands who may use a maritime capital construction fund and what those funds may buy by explicitly allowing marine terminal operators to establish funds and to use them to acquire U.S.-built cargo handling equipment as well as U.S.-built vessels. It also defines “cargo handling equipment” and “marine terminal,” bars fund withdrawals to buy cranes made in the People’s Republic of China, and prohibits fund use to purchase fully automated equipment if the Department of Transportation determines it would cause a net loss of jobs at a terminal. The bill also requires the Secretary to publish an annual Federal Register request for information on availability of U.S.-manufactured cargo handling equipment and to share findings with fund holders.