This bill, titled the "Next Generation Shipping Act," directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish the Next Generation Shipping Innovation Program . The program's primary goal is to support the research, design, development, demonstration, and deployment of zero-emission vessels , as well as the retrofit or replacement of existing vessels with zero-emission technologies and necessary charging or fueling infrastructure . It aims to accelerate maritime decarbonization by providing eligible entities with financial mechanisms such as grants, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees. The Secretary will prioritize projects that advance vessel efficiency and reliability, reduce costs, improve components, and minimize underwater noise emissions. Special emphasis is placed on technologies with environmental co-benefits , synergies with offshore renewable energy, and those that utilize project labor or community benefits agreements. The bill also mandates support for workforce training and development, particularly for operating and maintaining zero-emission and clean alternative fuel vessels, and requires engagement with environmental justice communities. An advisory committee will be established to guide the Secretary on technology identification, gap analysis, and program effectiveness, with annual funding authorized at $1 billion for fiscal years 2027 through 2036, explicitly prohibiting funds for automated vessel technologies.