American LNG First Act of 2026

This bill would modify federal maritime law to exempt certain vessels that transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) from specific coastwise endorsement requirements. Coastwise endorsements are federal certifications that typically restrict which ships can operate in U.S. waters and carry cargo between American ports. If enacted, this bill would create an exception for some LNG transport vessels from these standard requirements. The practical effect would be to potentially allow more flexibility in which ships can transport LNG domestically, though the specific vessels affected and the scope of the exemption would depend on how the bill's language is ultimately defined. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced in the House and referred to committee for consideration.