This bill creates the Next Generation Shipping Innovation Program at the Department of Transportation. The Program will support research, design, development, demonstration, and deployment of zero-emission vessels, clean alternative fuel vessels, related energy efficiency and noise-reduction technologies, and shore-side charging or fueling infrastructure. The Department may offer grants, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees to eligible entities (owners, manufacturers, ports, terminal operators, certain nonprofits and training organizations, and academic partners). The bill requires annual public posting of funding applications, a wage rule for construction work, and prohibits using Program funds to study, design, or install automated vessels or automated cargo handling systems. An advisory committee must be created to guide the Program and report to the Secretary and Congress.
The bill authorizes $1,000,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2036 to carry out the Program. The Secretary may use up to 10 percent of amounts made available for administrative costs. The bill requires prevailing wages for construction, alteration, installation, or repair work assisted by Program funds. No other cost estimates or budget effects are provided in the bill text.
The bill frames the Program to help maritime decarbonization by advancing zero-emission vessel technologies, improving manufacturing and components, lowering costs, reducing underwater noise, and creating synergies with offshore renewable energy. It emphasizes workforce training, community engagement, environmental justice, and use of project labor or community benefits agreements. Supporters point to the advisory committee, transparency rules, and federal funding as tools to coordinate research, development, demonstration, and deployment.
No publicly available information.