Merchant Marine Allies Partnership Act

The Merchant Marine Allies Partnership Act would create a framework allowing certain vessels that are allied with the United States to participate in coastwise trade (trade between U.S. ports) under a new Foreign Ally Shipping Registry. The Secretary of Transportation would be able to authorize qualified vessels—owned by nationals or governments of allied countries or by a mix including U.S. nationals—and flagged in the U.S. or an allied country, to move merchandise between U.S. points (and via foreign ports) for up to five-year periods that can be renewed. The bill also imposes procedures for removing countries from the allied registry, ensures a process for revoking authorizations if a vessel ceases to be qualified, and provides a waiver of certain crewing requirements for individuals from allied nations aboard qualified vessels. It further offers a tariff exemption for repairs conducted in shipyards located in allied countries listed on the registry. In short, the bill would expand which vessels can legally participate in U.S. coastwise trade by creating a formal registry of allied countries and allowing certain allied-owned or allied-crewed ships to operate in this trade under a government-approved authorization, with periodic reviews and potential deductions in privileges if an allied country is no longer considered an ally.