Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to report to Congress on the status of the nation's coastal and inland waterways infrastructure. Requires the Maritime Administration to assess the potential for using container-on-barge transportation on the inland waterways system. Revises the purposes of the short sea transportation program to include promoting more efficient use of the U.S. navigable waters. Amends the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946 to allow the Secretary to use National Defense Reserve Fleet and Ready Reserve Force vessels for civil contingency operations and Maritime Administration promotional and media events when in the best interests of the U.S. government. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a green ships program to identify, evaluate, test, demonstrate, or improve emerging marine technologies likely to achieve environmental improvements by reducing air or water emissions or other ship discharges, increasing fuel economy or use of alternative fuels, or controlling aquatic invasive species. Declares that certain maritime law limitations shall not affect the Maritime Administration's authority …