Next Generation Shipping Act

This bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to create the Next Generation Shipping Innovation Program to support research, design, development, and deployment of zero-emission vessels, retrofits of existing vessels, and related charging or fueling infrastructure. The program may offer grants, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees to eligible entities such as U.S. vessel owners, manufacturers, port authorities, and certain training institutions. It authorizes $1 billion per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2036, requires prevailing wages on funded construction work, and bars spending on automated vessels or automated cargo handling. The bill also creates an advisory committee of at least 15 members to advise on the program and report on its progress.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Chris Van Hollen Democrat sponsor
• 2 cosponsors