American LNG First Act of 2026

This bill, the American LNG First Act of 2026, modifies U.S. maritime laws to allow foreign-owned vessels to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) within U.S. waters, provided they meet specific ownership and crew restrictions. It directly affects ship operators and the LNG industry by creating an exemption from coastwise laws that typically require vessels transporting domestic goods to be U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged. The key provision excludes vessels owned or crewed by Russian or Chinese nationals, as well as those flagged to Russia or China, from this exemption. By allowing eligible foreign vessels to carry LNG while maintaining restrictions on Russian and Chinese entities, the bill aims to increase supply options without opening access to competitors from sanctioned countries.