Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-110
§50106 Studies on the Operation of Vessels
Title 46 › Subtitle V — Merchant Marine › Part A — General › CHAPTER 501 — POLICY, STUDIES, AND REPORTS › § 50106
Summary
The Secretary of Transportation must compare and keep up-to-date records of how much it costs to run similar U.S. and foreign ships, including things like insurance, repairs, wages, food, and other expenses. The Secretary must also track how many U.S. shipyards there are, where they are, and how well they perform, and must review U.S. navigation laws and recommend to Congress any changes needed to improve those laws and help the U.S. merchant fleet.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §50106
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(a)Relative Costs.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall investigate, determine, and keep current records of the relative cost of marine insurance, maintenance, repairs, wages and subsistence of officers and crews, and all other items of expense, in the operation of comparable vessels under the laws and regulations of the United States and those of the foreign countries whose vessels are substantial competitors of American vessels.
(b)Shipyards.—
The Secretary shall investigate, determine, and keep current records of the number, location, and efficiency of shipyards in the United States.
(c)Navigation Laws.—
The Secretary shall examine the navigation laws and regulations of the United States and make such recommendations to Congress as the Secretary considers proper for the amendment, improvement, and revision of those laws and for the development of the merchant marine of the United States.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 50106(a)46 App.:811 (1st sentence words after 1st comma).Sept. 7, 1916, ch. 451, § 12 (1st sentence words after 1st comma, 3d sentence), 39 Stat. 732; Ex. Ord. No. 6166, § 12, eff. June 10, 1933; June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title II, § 204, title IX, § 904, 49 Stat. 1987, 2016; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(27), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 155. 46 App.:1121(e).June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title II, § 211(e), (g), 49 Stat. 1989; Pub. L. 91–469, §§ 4(2), 5, 35(a), Oct. 21, 1970, 84 Stat. 1018, 1035; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(67), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 159. 50106(b)46 App.:1121(g). 50106(c)46 App.:811 (3d sentence). In subsection (b), the words “existing on June 29, 1936, or thereafter built” are omitted as obsolete.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 50106
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110