Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle V— Merchant Marine › Part C— Financial Assistance Programs › Chapter 533— CONSTRUCTION RESERVE FUNDS › § 53310
A deposit into a construction reserve fund only counts if, within 3 years after the deposit (plus any allowed extension), one of two things happens. First option: a contract is made to build, buy, rebuild, or buy a part interest in a new vessel (with the Secretary of Transportation’s approval when needed); the deposit is used or promised to be used under that contract; at least 12.5 percent of the vessel’s construction or contract price is paid or firmly committed; and the Secretary approves the vessel’s plans and specs as needed. Second option: the deposit is used or promised to be used to pay off a purchase loan for a new vessel to someone who is not the mortgagor’s parent or an affiliated/related company. If the vessel is not built under a construction‑differential subsidy contract or not bought from the Secretary of Transportation, at least 5 percent of the first vessel’s construction must be done within 6 months after the construction contract (as the Secretary estimates and certifies to the Secretary of the Treasury), and construction must continue with reasonable speed. The Secretary of Transportation can extend the time limits, but extensions cannot total more than 2 years for spending or obligating the deposit or more than 1 year for reaching 5 percent construction.
Full Legal Text
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 53310
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60