Bill Overview
Title: SHIP IT Act
Description: SHIP IT Act This bill temporarily waives various requirements and makes other changes to address congestion at U.S. ports. For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration must waive the hours of service limits (i.e., the number of hours a driver may operate a truck or motor carrier in a set period of time) and minimum age requirements that apply to commercial driver's licenses for individuals transporting cargo directly to or from a U.S. port. Additionally, the Coast Guard may temporarily allow foreign-built, -owned, and -crewed vessels to transport cargo between U.S. ports and engage in certain ship-to-ship transfers of cargo. Current coastwise law, commonly known as the Jones Act, generally requires that vessels transporting cargo domestically be U.S.-built, -owned, and -crewed. The Department of Defense must (1) inventory its intermodal equipment (e.g., trailers and chassis used to transport shipping containers) to identify equipment available for loan to trucking companies to relieve congestion at U.S. ports, and (2) establish a process to allow trucking companies to request the loan of such equipment. The Maritime Administration and the Federal Maritime Commission must jointly convene a meeting to discuss the long-term feasibility of, and strategies for, using land or property under the jurisdiction of U.S. inland ports for the storage and transfer of cargo containers. The Government Accountability Office must submit to Congress a report describing the adoption of technology at U.S. ports as compared to foreign ports.
Sponsors: Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in or affected by international and domestic shipping, logistics, and supply chains
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The SHIP IT Act impacts people who work in the shipping and logistics industry, as it changes regulations related to ports and transportation of goods.
- It affects truck drivers by temporarily waiving hours of service limits and minimum age requirements for commercial driver's licenses when transporting cargo to or from U.S. ports.
- The act also influences foreign and domestic shipping companies due to the temporary allowance of foreign-built, -owned, and -crewed vessels to participate in domestic transport.
- The trucking industry will benefit from the loan of intermodal equipment from the Department of Defense to alleviate port congestion.
- Ports and their related operations are a critical part of the logistics supply chain, affecting millions globally given the international nature of trade.
- Foreign trade partners may also be indirectly impacted by changes in how goods are imported into or exported from the U.S., influencing international supply chains and logistics flows.
Reasoning
- The SHIP IT Act impacts a wide variety of individuals across the shipping, logistics, and transportation sectors, most notably those working in and around U.S. ports. It is essential to capture the perspectives of truck drivers, port workers, maritime employees, and business owners within the logistics chain to understand the broader implications of the policy.
- The Act's rapid deployment waives certain safety and labor regulations, which could have varying impacts on wellbeing depending on job security, perceived safety, and other working conditions. Some may experience improved job conditions from increased business, while others might face worsened conditions due to regulatory waivers.
- Given the defined budget, the policy's immediate impacts might focus on larger, busier ports, which could lead to unequal distribution of benefits.
- The target population estimation suggests a large impact, but the $50,000,000 USD budget may limit direct, substantial impacts to a relatively smaller group due to the expansive nature of the shipping industry.
- We should consider both immediate beneficiaries, such as truck drivers who receive DoD equipment loans, and those indirectly affected, such as employees of businesses reliant on port efficiency.
Simulated Interviews
Truck driver (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it might help us get through congested ports faster, but waiving hour limits could make my job even more stressful and tiring.
- I can't say I'm thrilled about younger drivers getting on the road; they might not be as experienced and it could be dangerous.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Port operations manager (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could really help reduce port backlogs, making my job a lot easier and improving flow.
- I think leveraging DoD equipment is an excellent idea and hope this remains an option after the policy period.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Maritime lawyer (Houston, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The SHIP IT Act brings up significant legal questions around the Jones Act. This could mean more business for me handling disputes or regulatory advice.
- However, the longevity of such changes threatens stable precedents we've relied upon for years.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Owner of a small logistics company (Charleston, SC)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am hopeful that the temporary waivers and equipment loans will increase our speed and help us meet client demands.
- However, the temporary nature makes it hard to plan for long-term growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired dockworker (Portland, OR)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to be out of that congested mess, but concerned that younger workers may not get the stability we had with changes like these happening.
- I worry about safety slipping through the cracks when less stringent measures are allowed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Logistics coordinator (Savannah, GA)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like SHIP IT can have ripple effects. If goods move faster domestically, we might need to adapt other parts of the supply chain to keep pace.
- The use of foreign-crewed vessels might improve port throughput but could also raise debates about local job security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Union leader for port workers (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial that the temporary waivers do not jeopardize jobs and safety of domestic workers.
- I am cautiously optimistic but know that such policy shifts usually come with hidden pitfalls.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cargo ship captain (Seattle, WA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Allowing foreign vessels will definitely impact domestic shipping jobs. I can see immediate effects negatively affecting our crew security and job availability.
- It could increase our competitiveness though, by fostering adaptability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Recent college graduate entering logistics field (Newark, NJ)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The SHIP IT Act is an exciting shift that could offer more opportunities and open doors faster in the industry.
- While I'm young and eager, the reality of long work hours concerns me as I start my career.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Import business owner (Boston, MA)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased efficiency at ports could incredibly enhance my business's capabilities and customer satisfaction.
- Any hiccup in the process caused by regulatory fluctuations needs to be minimized for us to thrive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The policy's temporary nature limits long-term fiscal implications.
- Potential shifts in international trade dynamics if U.S. port operations become more efficient.
- Balancing immediate administrative costs against potential logistics savings and broader economic impacts.