Condemning the illegal, international use of flag-of-convenience practices.

This resolution condemns the widespread international practice of flag of convenience , asserting that it significantly undermines United States national security and economic interests. It details how these practices weaken the U.S. merchant marine fleet, make ships unreliable during emergencies, and disadvantage American shipbuilding and seafarers by circumventing labor laws and safety standards. The resolution further highlights that flag-of-convenience vessels are frequently used to evade tariffs and sanctions, facilitate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing , and enable serious crimes including illicit trafficking, forced labor, and even terrorist financing. It emphasizes that the lack of transparency and international oversight associated with these practices promotes maritime crime and allows countries to ignore critical safety and labor regulations. To address these issues, the resolution calls for increased funding and protection for the U.S. maritime industry and supports initiatives to strengthen shipbuilding. It urges international bodies like the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, and the International Labour Organization to condemn flag-of-convenience practices globally and assist member nations in enforcing maritime standards.