Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§56501 Definition
Title 46 › Subtitle V — Merchant Marine › Part E — Control of Merchant Marine Capabilities › CHAPTER 565 — ESSENTIAL VESSELS AFFECTED BY NEUTRALITY ACT › § 56501
Summary
"Essential vessel" means a ship pledged to U.S. or built for a key foreign trade route, and kept ready for commerce and national defense.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §56501
Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In this chapter, the term “essential vessel” means a vessel that is—
(1)(A)security for a mortgage indebtedness to the United States Government; or
(B)constructed under this subtitle or required by a contract under this subtitle to be operated on a certain essential foreign trade route; and
(2)necessary in the interests of commerce and national defense to be maintained in condition for prompt use.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5650146 App.:1242a(a).June 29, 1940, ch. 442, subdiv. (a), 54 Stat. 684.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 56501
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102