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KLTV 7: Rep. Moran introduces bill aimed at increasing shipbuilding efforts

The “American Shipyard Investment Act of 2026” would create a 25% tax credit for shipbuilders to mitigate what Moran says are national security and regulatory concerns.

TYLER, Texas, August 5, 2026

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-Tyler) has introduced a bill aimed at incentivizing shipbuilding in the United States.

The “American Shipyard Investment Act of 2026” would create a 25% tax credit for shipbuilders to mitigate what Moran says are national security and regulatory concerns.

In 2022, BRS Shipbrokers said China had 1,794 ships under construction, compared to 5 in the United States.

“When you talk about the number of maritime warships that we need to keep up with China, we cannot rely on even South Korea and Japan to help us in that,” Moran said.

 

“The problem with shipbuilding for many decades has been that the federal government has put too much regulatory burden on these companies,” added Moran. “It has made it impossible for companies in the United States to compete with companies in China, and with South Korea and Japan.”

East Texas Economist Dr. Ray Perryman said the lack of shipbuilding stems from supply chain constraints and labor costs.

Perryman mentioned the Jones Act of 1920 - which requires goods transported domestically by water to use an American-built ship - is driving up shipping costs.

“The Jones Act makes it very inefficient to do shipping inside the country now which raises prices for a lot of goods and services in an unnecessary way but one that could be alleviated by greater shipbuilding in the United States,” Perryman said.

Perryman described the bill as a “good step in the right direction.”

“This bill has some potential to help some in an industry that we really should be working to try to beef up in the United States,” said Perryman.

Moran said the bill would create jobs nationwide.

“We’re not building ships out on a port shipyard here in East Texas but that doesn’t mean that we’re not connected to or affected by the shipyard industry,” added Moran. “We need to have a rising tide that lifts all boats.”

Moran is up for re-election in November. He faces Democrat Yolanda Prince.