Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-110

§53408 Regulatory Relief

Title 46 › Subtitle V — Merchant Marine › Part C — Financial Assistance Programs › CHAPTER 534 — TANKER SECURITY FLEET › § 53408

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

A ship that is part of an approved operating agreement can work in U.S. foreign trade without limits. While the operator is getting payments under that agreement, the usual ban on building, rebuilding, or registering the ship in another country does not apply for those days. If a ship is re-registered in the United States for such an agreement, its existing telecom and electronic gear will count as meeting FCC rules if it met the international rules of the country it was registered in before, that country has not been identified by the Secretary for poor enforcement, and worn-out gear is replaced with FCC-approved equipment.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §53408

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Operation in Foreign Commerce.—

A program participant for a vessel included in an operating agreement under this chapter may operate the vessel in the foreign commerce of the United States without restriction.

(b)Other Restrictions.—

The restrictions of section 55305(a) of this title concerning the building, rebuilding, or documentation of a vessel in a foreign country shall not apply to a vessel for any day the operator of the vessel is receiving payments for the operation of that vessel under an operating agreement under this chapter.

(c)Telecommunications Equipment.—

The telecommunications and other electronic equipment on an existing vessel that is redocumented under the laws of the United States for operation under an operating agreement under this chapter shall be deemed to satisfy all Federal Communications Commission equipment approval requirements, if—

(1)such equipment complies with all applicable international agreements and associated guidelines as determined by the country in which the vessel was documented immediately before becoming documented under the laws of the United States;

(2)that country has not been identified by the Secretary as inadequately enforcing international regulations as to that vessel; and

(3)at the end of its useful life, such equipment shall be replaced with equipment that meets Federal Communications Commission equipment approval standards.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 53408

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110