Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§40101 Purposes

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle IV— - Regulation of Ocean Shipping › Part Part A— - Ocean Shipping › Chapter CHAPTER 401— - GENERAL › § 40101

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Sets rules for U.S. ocean shipping in international trade. It aims to keep rules fair and low-cost, make ocean transport efficient and competitive, support a strong U.S. liner fleet for security and trade, and help U.S. exports grow by relying more on market competition.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §40101

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The purposes of this part are to—
(1)establish a nondiscriminatory regulatory process for the common carriage of goods by water in the foreign commerce of the United States with a minimum of government intervention and regulatory costs;
(2)ensure an efficient, competitive, and economical transportation system in the ocean commerce of the United States;
(3)encourage the development of an economically sound and efficient liner fleet of vessels of the United States capable of meeting national security needs and supporting commerce; and
(4)promote the growth and development of United States exports through a competitive and efficient system for the carriage of goods by water in the foreign commerce of the United States, and by placing a greater reliance on the marketplace.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 4010146 App.:1701.Pub. L. 98–237, § 2, Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 67; Pub. L. 105–258, title I, § 101, Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1902.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Par. (2). Pub. L. 117–146, § 2(1), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “provide an efficient and economic transportation system in the ocean commerce of the United States that is, insofar as possible, in harmony with, and responsive to, international shipping practices;”. Par. (3). Pub. L. 117–146, § 2(2), inserted “and supporting commerce” after “needs”. Par. (4). Pub. L. 117–146, § 2(3), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “promote the growth and development of United States exports through competitive and efficient ocean transportation and by placing a greater reliance on the marketplace.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effects on Certain Agreements and Contracts Pub. L. 98–237, § 20(d), Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 90; Pub. L. 105–258, title I, § 117(1), Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1914, provided that: “All agreements, contracts, modifications, licenses, and exemptions previously issued, approved, or effective under the Shipping Act, 1916 [former 46 U.S.C. App. 801 et seq., see Disposition Table preceding section 101 of this title], or the Shipping Act of 1984 [former 46 U.S.C. App. 1701 et seq., see Disposition Table preceding section 101 of this title], shall continue in force and effect as if issued or effective under this Act, as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 [Pub. L. 105–258, Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1902], and all new agreements, contracts, and modifications to existing, pending, or new contracts or agreements shall be considered under this Act, as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 40101

Title 46Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73