# Understanding the Secure Our Ports Act of 2025

This bill prevents U.S. ports from being operated or managed by companies owned or controlled by China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. Specifically, it prohibits port facility owners and operators from signing contracts with state-owned enterprises from these four countries or with any foreign company that has any ownership stake from these nations. The rule applies to ports that are required to have security plans under federal maritime law, which covers most major commercial ports across the country.

The practical effect is straightforward: American ports cannot be leased, owned, or operated by these foreign governments or their business entities. If a port company currently has such a contract, this law would prevent them from renewing or continuing it. The bill targets what lawmakers view as potential national security risks by keeping control of critical port infrastructure away from countries the U.S. considers adversarial or hostile.

For most Americans, this won't directly change anything about how ports operate or how goods move through them. However, it could affect shipping companies, international businesses, and port workers if foreign entities currently involved in port operations need to exit their contracts. The bill essentially draws a line saying that certain countries cannot have a financial stake in controlling American ports, treating port operations as sensitive infrastructure that should remain under non-adversarial control. This is similar to existing restrictions on foreign ownership in other critical industries like telecommunications and defense.

Secure Our Ports Act of 2025

Calvert, Ken

Secure Our Ports Act of 2025This bill prohibits owners or operators of certain U.S. maritime transportation facilities from contracting for the lease, ownership, or operation of facilities with enterprises partly or wholly owned by China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia. The covered facilities are located at ports in areas that are subject to enhanced transportation security requirements, including the requirement for an Area Maritime Transportation Security Plan.