S 1541119th CongressIntroduced

SHIPS for America Act of 2025

Introduced: Oct 29, 2025

Defense & National SecurityInfrastructureLabor & Employment

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The SHIPS for America Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive measures to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry through strategic sealift programs, shipbuilding incentives, workforce development initiatives, and cargo preference requirements to enhance national defense capabilities and economic security while reducing dependence on foreign maritime infrastructure.

Key Points

1Creates a Strategic Commercial Fleet program with annual targets for U.S.-built, U.S.-crewed vessels to bolster strategic sealift capacity for national defense during crises or conflicts
2Mandates 100% cargo preference for U.S. government shipments on vessels of the United States and establishes phased requirements for U.S.-built vessels for energy exports to China and other destinations
3Establishes the Maritime Security Trust Fund financed through tonnage taxes and other revenue sources to fund maritime infrastructure, shipbuilding incentives, and workforce development programs through 2035

Impact Areas

U.S. Merchant Marine and maritime workforceDomestic shipbuilding industry and shipyardsFederal agencies shipping government cargoU.S. national defense and strategic sealift capabilitiesInternational trade and shipping companies

Generated by legislative-analysis-v3 on Nov 10, 2025