S. 2535 — Protecting Jobs in American Ports Act

This section (1) expands eligibility for coastwise endorsements to include vessels that transport passengers between U.S. ports or places to which coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port; (2) repeals the authority to issue such endorsements to eligible small or uninspected passenger vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers for hire if their operation will not adversely affect U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade business; and (3) includes a rule of construction clarifying that the amendments do not exempt such vessels from other applicable U.S. laws. (Coastwise trade, i.e., transportation of passengers or merchandise between U.S. ports or places, is generally restricted to U.S.-built, owned, documented, and crewed vessels.)