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Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73

§50102 Survey of merchant marine

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle V— - Merchant Marine › Part Part A— - General › Chapter CHAPTER 501— - POLICY, STUDIES, AND REPORTS › § 50102

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Transportation must review the U.S. merchant marine and make a long-term plan to replace and add ships. The plan must quickly build a balanced fleet that can be converted for military transport in an emergency, favor U.S. ownership and operation when practical, protect passengers and crew from fire and other dangers, and keep U.S. shipyards and skilled workers ready. The Secretary must work closely with the Navy on defense needs.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §50102

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary of Transportation shall survey the merchant marine of the United States to determine whether replacements and additions are required to carry out the objectives and policy of section 50101 of this title. The Secretary shall study, perfect, and adopt a long-range program for replacements and additions that will result, as soon as practicable, in—
(1)an adequate and well-balanced merchant fleet, including vessels of all types, that will provide shipping service essential for maintaining the flow of foreign commerce by vessels designed to be readily and quickly convertible into transport and supply vessels in a time of national emergency;
(2)ownership and operation of the fleet by citizens of the United States insofar as practicable;
(3)vessels designed to afford the best and most complete protection for passengers and crew against fire and all marine perils; and
(4)an efficient capacity for building and repairing vessels in the United States with an adequate number of skilled personnel to provide an adequate mobilization base.
(b)In carrying out subsection (a)(1), the Secretary of Transportation shall cooperate closely with the Secretary of the Navy as to national defense requirements.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5010246 App.:1120.June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title II, § 210, 49 Stat. 1989; Pub. L. 91–469, §§ 3, 35(a), Oct. 21, 1970, 84 Stat. 1018, 1035; Pub.L. 97–31, § 12(67) (related to § 210), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 159.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 50102

Title 46 — Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73