White House Maritime Action Plan Legislative Proposal Includes Key Win for Ports

The White House has transmitted a legislative proposal to House Speaker Mike Johnson to enact the Maritime Action Plan (MAP), which would implement policies outlined in the February 2026 executive order to revitalize the American maritime industry. You can read AAPA’s summary of it here.

The proposal would establish a Maritime Security Trust Fund (MSTF) funded through existing tariffs and fees, distributing $450 million annually to the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), among other maritime sector allocations. It would also create Maritime Prosperity Zones allowing ports to qualify for tax deferral on capital development, and establish vessel preference requirements mandating that a portion of imported cargo be transported on U.S.-flagged or built vessels, beginning at 3% within 180 days of enactment.

AAPA remains officially neutral on existing related legislation while continuing to engage in discussions around maritime policy. Read the White House’s full legislative proposal for Executive Order 14269 to Congress here.