2017 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping
Subtitle V - Merchant Marine
Part F - Government-Owned Merchant Vessels
Chapter 575 - Construction, Charter, and Sale of Vessels
Subchapter I - General
Sec. 57505 - Employment of vessels on foreign trade routes

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Citation 46 U.S.C. § 57505 (2017)
Section Name §57505. Employment of vessels on foreign trade routes
Section Text

(a) In General.—The Secretary of Transportation shall arrange for the employment of the Department of Transportation's vessels in steamship lines on such trade routes, exclusively serving the foreign trade of the United States, as the Secretary determines are essential for the development and maintenance of the commerce of the United States and the national defense. However, the Secretary shall first determine that those routes are not being adequately served by existing steamship lines privately owned and operated by citizens of the United States and documented under the laws of the United States.

(b) Policy To Encourage Private Operation.—The Secretary shall have a policy of encouraging private operation of each essential steamship line now owned by the United States Government by—

(1) selling the line to a citizen of the United States; or

(2) demising the Secretary's vessels on bareboat charter to citizens of the United States who agree to maintain the line in the manner provided in this chapter.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, §8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1665.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
57505(a) 46 App.:1195 (1st sentence). June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title VII, §705 (1st, 2d sentences), 49 Stat. 2009; Pub. L. 97–31, §12(107), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 163.
57505(b) 46 App.:1195 (2d sentence).

In subsection (a), the words "As soon as practicable after June 29, 1936, and continuing thereafter" are omitted as obsolete. The words "However, the Secretary shall first determine that those routes are not being adequately served" are substituted for "Provided, That such needs are not being adequately served" for clarity and because provisos are disfavored in modern drafting.

In subsection (b)(1), the words "in the manner provided in section 7 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 [46 App. U.S.C. 866], and in strict accordance with the provisions of section 5 of said Act" are omitted because section 5 of that Act was repealed in 1988, and section 7 is being repealed as obsolete by this bill without being restated.

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 5, Title 46 - SHIPPING
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 46 - SHIPPING
Subtitle V - Merchant Marine
Part F - Government-Owned Merchant Vessels
CHAPTER 575 - CONSTRUCTION, CHARTER, AND SALE OF VESSELS
SUBCHAPTER I - GENERAL
Sec. 57505 - Employment of vessels on foreign trade routes
Contains section 57505
Date 2017
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 12, 2018
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 49 Stat. 2009
95 Stat. 163
120 Stat. 1665
Public Law References Public Law 97-31, Public Law 109-304
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