Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73not60
§56501 Definition
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle V— Merchant Marine › Part E— Control of Merchant Marine Capabilities › Chapter 565— ESSENTIAL VESSELS AFFECTED BY NEUTRALITY ACT › § 56501
Summary
An "essential vessel" is a ship that meets two conditions. First, it either serves as collateral for a mortgage to the United States Government or was built under this law (or is required by a contract under this law) to run on a specific important foreign trade route. Second, it is needed for trade and national defense and must be kept ready for quick use.
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
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60