A bill to increase the role of the Secretary of Transportation in administering section 901 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, and for other purposes.

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to grant to the Secretary of Transportation the sole responsibility for designating a program as subject to the requirement that at least 50 percent of Government-generated cargoes be shipped on privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels to the extent such vessels are available at fair and reasonable rates. Declares that requirements that specified percentages of gross tonnage of equipment, materials, or agricultural commodities furnished or financed by the United States be transported on U.S.-flag commercial vessels shall be applicable for the 12-month period commencing April 1 of each year before 2003, the 18-month period commencing on April 1, 2003, and the 12-month period commencing on October 1 (fiscal year) of each year after 2004. Repeals certain additional gross tonnage requirements with respect to U.S.-flag commercial vessels.…