§53403 Award of Operating Agreements

Summary

Requires that any vessel be covered by an operating agreement with the Secretary of Transportation to be included in the Fleet. The Secretary will only take applications for eligible product tank vessels from people who are authorized under this law. New agreements go to applicants who meet the rules in section 53402(c) for vessels that qualify under section 53402(b). Priority is set first by vessel capabilities as decided by the Secretary of Defense, then by vessel type and the applicant’s record, then by any other priorities the Transportation Secretary sets. The Transportation Secretary cannot approve an application unless the Secretary of Defense agrees. The Transportation Secretary cannot require payments under section 53406 for more than 10 vessels in each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, and not more than 20 vessels in any later fiscal year. Courts cannot review decisions to give or deny these operating agreements.