American Cargo for American Ships Act
This bill requires that all ocean cargo purchased, contracted, or funded by the Department of Transportation be shipped entirely on privately owned, American-flagged vessels. Currently, federal rules only require at least 50 percent of government-financed ocean shipments to use domestic ships. By raising that requirement to 100 percent whenever American ships are available at reasonable rates, the bill directs more shipping revenue and maritime jobs to U.S. carriers.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- U.S.-flagged commercial cargo vessel operatorsRequires 100 percent of ocean-transported equipment, materials, or commodities procured or financed by the Department of Transportation to be shipped on privately owned U.S. commercial vessels, provided they are available at fair and reasonable rates (Sec. 2).
Who it burdens
- Department of TransportationMust take necessary and practicable steps to ensure that 100 percent of ocean-transported cargo it procures or finances is transported on privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels (Sec. 2).
- Recipients of Department of Transportation financingMust take steps to ensure that 100 percent of ocean cargo purchased or transported using DOT funds or financing is carried on privately owned U.S. commercial vessels when available at fair and reasonable rates (Sec. 2).
The provisions, in plain language.
Requires the Department of Transportation and recipients of its federal financing to ensure that 100 percent of ocean-transported equipment, materials, or commodities are carried on privately owned, U.S.-flagged commercial cargo ships, to the extent those vessels are available at fair and reasonable rates.