The first section of the bill states that the official name for the Act is the “Maritime Advantage Results In National Economic Resiliency and Security Act” or simply the “MARINERS Act.”

Congress emphasizes the importance of strategic sealift, including civilian and government ships and mariners, for national security and the economy. They highlight the need for investment and planning to maintain these resources, ensuring the United States can respond to threats and work with allies when necessary.

The purpose of this Act is to tackle the shortage of maritime workers and boost the U.S. merchant marine and shipbuilding industries through funding for marketing and recruitment efforts, thereby enhancing national security and maritime readiness. It also aims to strengthen the position of U.S. shipping and naval power both domestically and globally by ensuring access to international waters without interference from competitors.

The President is required to appoint a Special Adviser within two years to coordinate national maritime affairs and policy, and this adviser will lead a National Maritime Council responsible for managing the National Maritime Strategy.

The section requires the Secretary of the Navy to submit a strategy to Congress within 180 days to develop the Navy's ability to reload ships at sea using mobile equipment. This strategy must detail plans and timelines for technology development, cost estimates, collaboration with allies, potentially alternative solutions, and any other relevant information deemed necessary. Additionally, a briefing on this strategy must be provided within 90 days.

The section outlines the requirements for vessels constructed with a construction-differential under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. It mandates that such vessels be assigned to the Ready Reserve Force for national emergencies and requires owners to surrender control to the U.S. government when necessary, with compensation provided. Additionally, it specifies that the vessels must meet commercial and military standards and be built using mature, repeatable designs.

The section mandates that any vessels built with a construction-differential after this law is enacted must join the Ready Reserve Force, managed in consultation with the Navy. It requires an agreement with a vessel construction manager to ensure these vessels meet certain standards and grants the U.S. control of the vessels during national emergencies, compensating the owners fairly for their use.

The section outlines various amendments to the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, and parts of title 46 of the United States Code by removing the word "subsidy" and replacing "construction-differential subsidies" with "construction-differentials" across multiple sections and titles.

The section requires several reports to be submitted to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment. These reports include plans for improving the National Defense Reserve Fleet, incentives for shipping companies, strategies for reducing maritime risks from China, ways to restrict U.S. capital flow to Chinese maritime industries, and potential tax incentives for using U.S.-flagged ships and ports.

The section outlines that within 180 days, federal agencies involved in maritime shipping must study and potentially promote the use of United States-flagged ships for international trade. It also requires these agencies to report to Congress on any rule changes and future needs after implementing study recommendations, and mandates a study on creating a Maritime Trust Fund to support U.S. maritime industries through fees on imports and exports.

The section amends the United States Code to increase the percentage from 50 to 75 in a subsection related to cargo preferences. It also introduces a provision for waivers where the President or specific Secretaries can temporarily waive certain requirements during emergencies if it's determined that there aren't enough qualified U.S. flag vessels available at reasonable rates.

The section amends U.S. Code to authorize $8.5 million annually for the Maritime Security Program from 2024 to 2035. It also mandates that the U.S. Transportation Command, with other authorities, test and report on the control of the Maritime Security Fleet in emergencies, with biannual drills and briefings to Congress.

The Secretaries of Defense, Energy, and Transportation are required to support a program to develop small nuclear reactor technology for ships, report on its progress to Congress annually, and seek funding through the President’s Budget and partnerships.

The section requires the Maritime Administration to report to Congress within 180 days about the status and resources needed for port, shipyard, and infrastructure improvements supporting finance arrangements for projects. It also asks for policy and rule changes to enhance U.S. maritime capabilities and suggestions on using special economic zones to boost maritime workforce and facilities.

The section explains that the Administrator of the Maritime Administration is required to hire a reputable firm through a competitive bidding process. This firm will handle the tasks of creating branding, content, buying advertisements, and developing both local and national strategies to support the campaigns mentioned in section 3.

The section outlines objectives for campaigns to boost maritime careers by emphasizing their importance to national security, showcasing job opportunities and excitement in the field, addressing worker shortages, and promoting avenues for training and financial support for those interested in joining the maritime sector.

The section outlines that the campaign to promote awareness about the merchant marine and shipbuilding sectors should focus on a variety of audiences, including people interested in maritime careers, educational institutions and their students, military veterans and those seeking new careers, as well as the general public.

The section requires that the chosen firm submit quarterly reports to the Maritime Administration and Congress about the progress and effectiveness of the campaigns meant to boost job applications in the American merchant marine and shipbuilding sectors. Additionally, a comprehensive final report must be submitted within 60 days after the campaigns end.

The Sealift Capability section of the bill outlines the importance of a strong United States-flagged sealift fleet for national defense and commerce, detailing objectives for maintaining a sufficient fleet, prioritizing its use, engaging in international agreements, and developing domestic shipbuilding capacity. It requires reports and briefings by various U.S. departments to Congress, focusing on ensuring the readiness of maritime infrastructure, supporting U.S.-flagged commercial fleets, and coordinating with allies for wartime needs.

The section outlines the need for the United States to maintain a fleet of ships under its own flag that can be used for national defense and economic purposes, especially during crises or wars. It states the policy of supporting the development and upkeep of this fleet to ensure the country can meet its security and trade needs without relying on foreign powers.

The section outlines that the Secretaries of Transportation and Defense are responsible for creating and maintaining a strong sealift capability that supports civil, commercial, and military needs. Additionally, it highlights the need to keep operating programs like the Maritime Security Program and the Military Sealift Command to ensure the U.S. has the necessary transport capabilities in times of peace, crisis, and war.

In times of war or crisis, SEC. 90103 mandates the order of priority for using sealift capabilities, starting with commercial vessels registered in the United States, followed by U.S. government-operated vessels, then vessels from allied nations, and lastly, ships from partner states. The Secretary of Defense decides when to move to the next priority level.

The section explains that the Secretaries of Transportation and Defense are allowed to buy, maintain, and fix ships from allied countries. These ships should be able to be used across different programs, like the Maritime Security Program and Tanker Security Program.

The section describes the Department of State's role in maintaining and enhancing sealift capabilities by working with the U.S.'s treaty allies and partners to ensure readiness during wartime, as well as requiring a report to Congress by March 1, 2025, that evaluates and suggests updates to these international agreements.

The section requires the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress by March 1, 2025, on the U.S. shipbuilding industry's ability to build, maintain, and repair strategic sealift ships. The report should also offer suggestions for improving shipbuilding infrastructure, workforce, supply chains, and consider contributions from allies and partners.

The Secretary of Transportation, along with other government officials, must brief Congress by March 1, 2025, on ways to increase the presence of U.S. ships in international trade. The briefing will include recommendations and incentives, such as tax and credit benefits, to encourage more use of U.S.-flagged ships by businesses and allies.

The section mandates that by March 1, 2025, the Secretary of Transportation, along with other officials, must deliver a report to Congress on how the United States can prioritize its own sealift fleet over foreign vessels in terms of regulations, taxes, and policies, while respecting international agreements. The report should also provide strategies for supporting US-flagged ships in programs that contribute to the national security fleet.

The section mandates the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress by March 1, 2025, detailing the requirements for maintaining and developing the Maritime Security Program, Tanker Security Program, and Ready Reserve Force. It also requires a plan to engage the Ready Reserve Force in international trade using a public-private partnership while ensuring control during crises or war.

The Secretary of Transportation must deliver a report to Congress by March 1, 2025, detailing a plan to financially support and gradually implement a rule that requires ships for certain federal maritime programs to be built in the United States. This plan will take into account partnerships and resource sharing with allied countries and organizations.

The section mandates that every two years starting March 1, 2026, the Secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security, Commerce, and Transportation must report to Congress on the readiness and security of the U.S. marine infrastructure and shipping industry. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of State to assess international agreements that support U.S. maritime capabilities during crises.

The bill proposes to change the funding for small shipyards in Section 54101(i) of title 46, United States Code, by increasing the allocated amount from $20 million for fiscal year 2021 to $100 million for fiscal year 2025.

The section authorizes the allocation of funds to the Department of Transportation for the fiscal years 2025 to 2035, including $10 million for a campaign to promote careers in the United States Merchant Marine, and $5 million for a campaign to promote careers in the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Both campaigns aim to highlight the need for skilled workers and encourage people to enter these fields.

The section authorizes $103,020,000 to be allocated to the Department of Transportation for 2024 to support the United States Merchant Marine, with $100,000,000 designated for loan guarantees and $3,020,000 for administrative expenses related to those guarantees.

The section states that the Administrator of the Maritime Administration must complete the specific task mentioned in section 14 within one year from when the funds authorized by the Act are made available.

Any money that is not yet spent and was approved under this law will expire 3 years after it is initially provided.

In this section of the bill, the term "relevant congressional committees" refers to specific committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate: for the House, it includes the Appropriations, Armed Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees; for the Senate, it includes the Appropriations, Armed Services, and Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committees.