Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§55123 Priority Loading for Coal
Title 46 › Subtitle V — Merchant Marine › Part D — Promotional Programs › CHAPTER 551 — COASTWISE TRADE › § 55123
Summary
Vessels carrying U.S.-mined coal between U.S. ports must be loaded before vessels loading coal for export. The Secretary of Transportation can end that priority for national-interest reasons and must inform Congress within 30 days.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §55123
Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
A vessel engaged in the coastwise transportation of coal produced in the United States, from a port in the United States to another port in the United States, shall be given priority in loading at any of those ports ahead of a waiting vessel engaged in the export transportation of coal produced in the United States. However, if the Secretary of Transportation finds that it is in the national interest, the Secretary may eliminate this priority loading at any port. The Secretary shall report to Congress within 30 days an action eliminating priority loading under this section.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5530146 App.:1121–1.Pub. L. 96–387, § 5, Oct. 7, 1980, 94 Stat. 1546; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(68), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 159; Pub. L. 99–662, title IX, § 947, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4200.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Pub. L. 116–283 renumbered section 55301 of this title as this section.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 55123
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102