HI HCR153

Requests Congress to exempt Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico from the U.S.-build requirement of the Jones Act (Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920) for large self-propelled oceangoing ships in noncontiguous domestic trades.

Argues that the U.S.-build requirement artificially increases shipping costs for noncontiguous jurisdictions, with U.S. deep-draft construction costing three or more times more than ships built in Japan or South Korea.

Notes that the Jones Act fleet serving noncontiguous trades has an average containership age of 28 years compared to 12 years internationally, creating safety and efficiency concerns.

Specifies the exemption would be limited to large oceangoing ships and would not affect U.S.-flag, U.S.-ownership, U.S.-crew requirements, tug and barge industries, or domestic shipping along mainland U.S. coasts.

Urges Hawaii's congressional delegation to work with delegations from Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico to introduce and support federal legislation granting this exemption.