The U.S. House of Representatives passed the first major update on U.S. international ocean-shipping laws in more than two decades–an important step for marine manufacturers who have been affected by ongoing supply chain and port disruptions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association website.

Bipartisan legislation, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (OSRA) (H.R. 4996), introduced by Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-03) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) passed in the U.S. House by a vote of 364-60 is the first step toward longer-term reform to shipping laws that would strengthen America’s global competitiveness and lower costs for American consumers.

OSRA 2021 provides critical updates to alleviate longstanding, systemic supply chain and port distribution issues that threaten thousands of businesses, jobs and outdoor recreation opportunities during a time when people are flocking to the water. Just this year, sales have reached a 13-year high, selling more than 310,000 new boats in the U.S.