Maritime Supply Chain Security Act

The bill would amend title 46 of the U.S. Code to clarify that Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants—which fund projects to improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of goods movement through U.S. ports—may be used to upgrade or replace port cranes, or parts of port cranes, including hardware and software, that are connected to the People's Republic of China. Covered cranes include those installed or provided by China or any of its departments, ministries, centers, agencies, or instrumentalities, as well as those currently maintained, controlled, or sponsored by any such entity.

The bill does not create a new grant program or appropriate new funds. It adds Chinese-connected crane replacement to the list of projects already eligible under the existing PIDP framework, administered competitively by the Maritime Administration. No mandate is placed on port operators to replace existing cranes; the bill solely enables grant funding for such projects.

U.S. seaports and port authorities that operate cranes installed, provided, maintained, controlled, or sponsored by China or Chinese government entities, and that seek federal grant funding to replace or upgrade them. Crane manufacturers and contractors competing for replacement contracts would also be indirectly affected, as would Maritime Administration staff administering PIDP grants.

Ports that rely on Chinese-connected crane equipment—particularly hardware or software that could pose cybersecurity or supply-chain risks—would gain access to federal grant dollars to fund replacement. Without this clarification, port operators might have been uncertain whether PIDP funds could legally cover such projects, potentially slowing efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese-connected port infrastructure.

The Maritime Administration would continue to competitively award PIDP grants under existing procedures; the bill simply adds Chinese-connected crane upgrades and replacements to the enumerated list of eligible project types. Port operators seeking funding would apply through the standard PIDP grant cycle, identifying the crane's Chinese connection as the basis for eligibility. No new rulemaking is required by the bill's text, though the Maritime Administration may issue guidance on how applicants should document a crane's Chinese governmental connection to qualify.