US MARAD Proposes Expanding Capital Construction Fund to All US-Built Vessels

MARAD proposes regulatory revisions to the Capital Construction Fund (CCF) program, extending eligibility to all US-built vessels in domestic or foreign commerce, removing geographic trade limitations, clarifying reconstruction timelines, and allowing fund use for acquisitions under certain conditions. This marks a policy shift toward broader maritime industrial support, potentially boosting US shipbuilding and fleet modernization. The rule is proposed, with final scope and impact pending public comment and implementation.