MaritimeFedWatch
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May 2, 2025
|4 min read
SHIPS for America Act Reintroduced – What’s New
On April 30, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) together with several original co-sponsors re-introduced in the U.S. Senate the SHIPS for America Act, first introduced in December 2024, divided into two bills. Companion legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) and Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA). This is a major, historic effort to revitalize the U.S. merchant marine. The legislation had to be re-introduced to be considered by the new U.S. Congress which commenced in January.
April 18, 2025
|5 min read
United States Imposes Substantial Fees on Chinese-Built and Other Vessels
On April 17, 2025, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed a series of fees on Chinese-owned and -operated vessels, Chinese-built vessels, and foreign-built car carriers starting in October 2025. The USTR also proposed additional duties on Chinese-manufactured ship-to-shore cranes and certain cargo handling equipment. The range of fees, the application of the fees to car carriers not connected with China, and the crane fees are all new and did not appear in the USTR’s February 2025 proposal.
April 10, 2025
|4 min read
Ground-Breaking U.S. Merchant Marine Executive Order Issued
On April 9, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order entitled “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance.” The EO directs a range executive actions – mainly executive reports to outline further action and to propose new legislation – all to promote the U.S. merchant marine including U.S. shipbuilding.
February 24, 2025
|4 min read
U.S. Government Proposes Trade Sanctions Against Chinese-Built or -Operated Vessels
On February 21, 2025, the U.S. Trade Representative proposed trade sanctions against Chinese-built vessels and against Chinese company-operated vessels. The proposed sanctions stem from an investigation under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 which commenced on April 17, 2024, culminating in a report issued on January 16, 2025, affirming the petition.
December 19, 2024
|4 min read
SHIPS for America Act – A Retrospective
On December 19, 2024, the “Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2024,” to be known as the “SHIPS for America Act of 2024,” was introduced in the U.S. Congress. The legislation is an ambitious effort to increase substantially the U.S. merchant marine in the international trade and the U.S. shipyard industrial base after a long period of U.S. government neglect.
October 10, 2024
|4 min read
Jones Act Waivers and Hurricanes
In the aftermath of the tragic destruction and disruptions of hurricanes there are usually some calls to “waive the Jones Act.” Putting aside whether such a waiver can ever be efficacious, it might be useful to review how very narrow the circumstances must be to justify such a waiver under the law as it has been amended.
October 1, 2024
|2 min read
New Information Made Available on Settlement of Frozen Fish Jones Act Case
The U.S. Department of Justice recently made available the Settlement Agreement in the case involving the transportation of frozen fish from Alaska to New England via Canada allegedly in violation of the Jones Act. The Settlement Agreement was provided in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. It was not included in the case docket when the Stipulation for Dismissal was submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska in February 2024.
August 27, 2024
|2 min read
Customs Confirms Offshore Wind Foundation Installation Rulings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed on August 21, 2024 its Jones Act interpretations relating to the installation of foundations for an offshore wind project which it issued last year.
May 21, 2024
|2 min read
U.S. Maritime Citizenship Laws Again at Issue
The United States restricts its domestic maritime trade, including its fisheries, to defined “United States citizens.” Although maritime citizenship law is rigorous, it permits certain foreign investment provided vessels remain under U.S. citizen control.
May 7, 2024
|2 min read
When is a Vessel Built in America “U.S. Built”
The United States reserves its domestic maritime trade to vessels “built in the United States” under a set of laws popularly referred to as the “Jones Act.” What qualifies as “U.S. built” under the law and U.S. Coast Guard interpretations was recently tested in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit case of Diamond Services Corp. v. Curtin Maritime Corp.
January 30, 2024
|3 min read
Customs Issues New Guidance on a Range of LNG Transportation Issues
U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently issued three rulings on multiple facets of the transportation by water of liquified natural gas. All three rulings addressed how the U.S. Jones Act, which is a set of U.S. laws restricting U.S. domestic maritime commerce to qualified U.S.-flag vessels, applies to LNG transportation.
December 14, 2023
|2 min read
U.S. Maritime Administration Makes Government Vessel Financing More Flexible
On December 14, 2023, the U.S. Maritime Administration issued a Final Rule which makes its “Federal Ship Financing Program,” widely known as “Title XI,” more flexible.
October 18, 2023
|2 min read
Offshore Jurisdiction “Pristine Seabed” Case Dismissed
On October 16, 2023, Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division) granted the intervenor-defendant American Petroleum Institute’s (API) motion for summary judgment in the case of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC v. Chris Magnus (Civil Action No. 4:22-CV-02481).
October 10, 2023
|3 min read
U.S. Legislation Introduced Restricting Use of Foreign Vessels in U.S. Offshore Projects
The U.S. Congress has been actively considering legislation since 2022 that would restrict the use of foreign vessels in U.S. offshore projects. Both oil and gas and renewable energy projects would be affected. The latest version of that legislation was introduced on October 5, 2023, by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) entitled the “American Worker Fairness Act.”
September 18, 2023
|2 min read
U.S. Customs Revises Jones Act Guidance for Offshore Wind Turbine Foundation Installation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection modified earlier Jones Act guidance on the installation of foundations for offshore wind turbines on September 14. The “Jones Act” is a popular term for several laws which reserve U.S. domestic maritime trade to U.S.-flag vessels which must be built in the United States and be owned and operated by qualified U.S. citizens.
July 31, 2023
|3 min read
U.S. Customs Provides New Jones Act Guidance for Offshore Wind Turbine Installation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently issued rulings which continue to provide guidance on the application of the Jones Act to the installation of offshore wind turbines. The “Jones Act” is a popular term for several laws which reserve U.S. domestic maritime trade to U.S.-flag vessels which must be built in the United States and be owned and operated by qualified U.S. citizens.
April 28, 2023
|2 min read
U.S. Legislation Advances Restricting Use of Foreign Vessels in U.S. Offshore Projects
On April 26, 2023, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported favorably H.R. 2741, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2023, including the two provisions which will have an effect on the ability of the United States to produce both oil and gas resources offshore and renewable energy offshore.
December 16, 2022
|1 min read
Congress Authorizes Major Expansion of Vessel Tax Deferral Program
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 sent to President Biden for his signature on December 16, 2022 contains a major expansion of the Capital Construction Fund vessel tax deferral program designed to help finance the construction of vessels in the United States.
November 1, 2022
|1 min read
U.S. Customs Re-Clarifies Foreign Vessel Scope for Offshore Wind Cable Installation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection in a September 2, 2022 ruling narrowed the scope of what a foreign cable lay vessel can lawfully do on U.S. offshore wind projects. CBP partially altered its views on October 28 with regard to the transportation of cable remaining after a cable lay operation is complete.
October 7, 2022
|3 min read
Congress Considers Substantial Changes to Jones Act Ruling Process
An amendment was recently offered by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to the pending National Defense Authorization Act legislation which would substantially change the way the U.S. Government provides Jones Act compliance guidance.