To amend title 46, United States Code, to include the replacement or purchase of additional cargo handling equipment as an eligible purpose for Capital Construction Funds, and for other purposes.

This bill amends Title 46 of the United States Code to expand the purposes of Capital Construction Funds (CCFs) to include the replacement or purchase of cargo handling equipment used at United States marine terminals. In addition to vessels, the bill allows both vessel owners and marine terminal operators to establish CCFs and to use them for acquiring or reconstructing cargo handling equipment (and related terminal infrastructure), funded with allowable deposits and withdrawals subject to existing rules. It also adds a number of protections and requirements, such as prohibiting withdrawals for fully automated equipment if it would cause net job losses at a marine terminal and prohibiting cranes manufactured in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The bill requires the Secretary to publish annually information on the availability of U.S.-made cargo handling equipment and to share that information with CCF holders. Potential impact: The measure could spur capital investments in US cargo handling equipment and terminal infrastructure, potentially improving efficiency and throughput at ports. It also introduces labor protections (limits on automation that could reduce jobs) and a domestic-sourcing preference (with a PRC crane prohibition), while expanding the eligible participants and uses of CCFs to marine terminals.