Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Ezell (Mississippi 4th District)
U.S. Representatives Mike Ezell (MS-04), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) introduced the Port Crane Tax Credit of 2025, legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish tax credits that incentivize the domestic production of port cranes, a critical step toward strengthening U.S. supply chain security and revitalizing American manufacturing.
The bill comes in response to growing bipartisan concerns over foreign-made port infrastructure—particularly cranes manufactured in adversarial nations—being installed at key U.S. shipping terminals. The proposed tax credit would reduce the financial burden for companies investing in American-made cranes and components, encouraging domestic production and reducing U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers for critical port equipment.
“Our ports are essential to our economy—and our national security,” Ezell said. “They serve as the gateways for trade, driving billions of dollars in commerce and supporting millions of jobs across the country. But more than that, they are critical infrastructure, and their vulnerability can pose real risks to our national safety. From cybersecurity threats to supply chain disruptions, foreign control over critical components—like ship-to-shore cranes—creates unacceptable exposure to espionage, sabotage, and logistical choke points. The Port Crane Tax Credit of 2025 is about putting American workers and American safety first. It will incentivize the production and deployment of domestically manufactured cranes, reduce our dependence on adversarial nations, and stimulate investment in American manufacturing and innovation. This isn’t just an economic policy—it’s a national security imperative. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to strengthen our ports, empower our workforce, and reinforce the foundation of American resilience.”
“Port security is vital, not just to our economy, but to our national defense. And yet many of these ports don’t get the security they so desperately need. The threat of cyber intrusions and espionage from the Chinese Communist Party is real. We must do everything in our power to protect our critical infrastructure, and that includes securing the cranes that operate at our ports,” Kiggans said. “I’m deeply concerned that so many of our ports are forced to use cranes manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC), a Chinese state-owned company. It makes no sense to let our top adversary build and maintain the very equipment that powers our supply chains. I’m proud to support the Port Crane Tax Credit Act introduced by my colleague Rep. Ezell, which will empower our port operators to use American-made cranes. Port security is national security. The work our ports do is imperative—we cannot afford to leave that in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.”
“Our bipartisan legislation delivers strong incentives to produce port cranes and expand domestic manufacturing right here in the United States, advancing our America First agenda to rebuild domestic industry and protect our national security,” Malliotakis said. “For maritime communities like ours, that means more good-paying jobs, a stronger local economy, and greater independence from foreign supply chains.”
“Without safe, reliable and affordable cranes, America’s ports would not be able to move the goods that sustain our economy and support the daily lives of American consumers,” Cary S. Davis, AAPA President and CEO said. “Instead of levying unfair taxes on port development, the Port Cranes Tax Credit Act is a tangible first step on the supply side towards incentivizing the reshoring of key CHE in the coming years since there are currently no domestic STS crane manufacturers. We thank lead sponsors Representatives Ezell and Malliotakis, alongside original cosponsors, Representatives Weber and Kiggans, for recognizing the need for supply side incentives – not punishments on the demand side through taxes – and encourage others concerned about the future of the port industry and our nation’s supply chains to support this bill and quickly get it to President Trump’s desk.”
“Congressman Mike Ezell’s leadership on the Port Crane Tax Credit Act of 2025 is exactly the kind of forward-thinking support Gulf Coast ports like ours need to stay competitive and meet the demands of a modern, American-made supply chain,” Bo Ethridge, Port Director, Port Pascagoula. “Port Pascagoula plays a critical role in the regional economy, and as manufacturing continues to return to U.S. shores, our port is experiencing increased demand and new growth opportunities. Yet we remain the only major Gulf Coast port without cargo cranes, which is an infrastructure gap that limits our ability to diversify commodities. This legislation is a vital step toward closing that gap. With federal support, including incentives like this tax credit, we can move forward with the acquisition of two mobile harbor cranes that will significantly enhance our operational capabilities and position us to serve a broader range of industries and cargo types. We’re proud to work alongside Congressman Ezell to strengthen America’s ports and power the future of domestic manufacturing.”
“Congressman Ezell’s Port Crane Tax Credit Act will help ensure America supports critical infrastructure by growing domestic crane manufacturing capacity,” Jon Nass, CEO and Executive Director, Port of Gulfport. “It creates a path to bring new skilled jobs to Mississippi and reinforces our ability to compete globally while supporting our maritime and port industries. We appreciate Congressman Ezell’s leadership on this important legislation.”
“Strengthening and securing our nation’s supply chain resiliency depends on U.S.-built and manufactured port cranes. This bill addresses urgent national security concerns, and our nation’s ports greatly benefit from this proposed legislation to create tax incentives to support domestic production of port infrastructure equipment,” explained Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay President and CEO.
“Modern cargo handling equipment is a major capital expense for Port operations. As the largest inland public port and logistic hub in Upstate New York, the Port of Albany couldn’t function without key equipment – from our mobile harbor cranes to our front loaders and forklifts. We have to keep the supply chain moving. If we have to wait six months, a year, even two years for a piece of equipment to be delivered, that should be unacceptable, but it’s become the norm due to market conditions,” Richard J. Hendrick Sr., Port of Albany CEO and AAPA Board of Directors Vice Chair said. “The Port’s been operating for almost one hundred years, and the numbers don’t lie – our overall economic impact on New York State is annually more than $813 million with approximately 4,500 related jobs. Vessel calls have increased 41% during the past year due to Heavy Lift work and breakbulk cargo. I’m proud of those numbers, and the people who make those numbers possible, year after year, but they need to have the right equipment. We need to support onshoring manufacturing and good manufacturing jobs, and to make sure that our U.S. ports are equipped to continue to get the job done. I applaud Representatives Malliotakis and Ezell, and original cosponsors Representatives Weber and Kiggans, for taking decisive action to move the 2025 Port Cranes Tax Credit Act forward.”
The legislation aligns with broader efforts in Congress to protect critical infrastructure and bolster domestic supply chains in the face of growing economic and geopolitical threats.
The Port Crane Tax Credit of 2025 is expected to draw bipartisan support and will be referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.
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