American LNG First Act of 2026

This bill proposes to ease restrictions on vessels transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) by amending existing maritime law. It establishes an exception that permits vessels carrying LNG to obtain a certificate of documentation, thereby circumventing certain general eligibility requirements often related to U.S. ownership. Additionally, the bill modifies the criteria for a coastwise endorsement, effectively exempting LNG carriers from specific provisions of the Jones Act that typically govern domestic waterborne commerce. This aims to broaden the fleet available for LNG transport within U.S. waters. A significant provision of the bill is the explicit exclusion of vessels with any connection to Russia or China from these new exemptions. This includes vessels that are owned by, flagged by, or have crewmembers who are nationals of Russia or China , ensuring these entities cannot benefit from the relaxed regulations.