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Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-110

§57502 Construction, Reconditioning, and Remodeling of Vessels

Title 46 › Subtitle V — Merchant Marine › Part F — Government-Owned Merchant Vessels › CHAPTER 575 — CONSTRUCTION, CHARTER, AND SALE OF VESSELS › SUBCHAPTER I — GENERAL › § 57502

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Transportation can order new vessels to be built and can have old vessels repaired, reconditioned, or remodeled when needed to meet the goals of this subtitle. The work must be done in shipyards in the continental United States (including Alaska and Hawaii). If acceptable private shipbuilding contracts cannot be obtained, the Secretary may use navy yards. Any private shipbuilder contract under this chapter must follow the rules in title V of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 that apply to private ship construction contracts.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §57502

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In General.—
The Secretary of Transportation may have new vessels constructed, and have old vessels reconditioned or remodeled, as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the objectives of this subtitle.
(b)Place of Work.—
Construction, reconditioning, and remodeling of vessels under subsection (a) shall take place in shipyards in the continental United States (including Alaska and Hawaii). However, if satisfactory contracts cannot be obtained from private shipbuilders, the Secretary may have the work done in navy yards.
(c)Applicability of Construction-Differential Subsidy Provisions.—
Contracts for the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of a vessel by a private shipbuilder under this chapter are subject to the provisions of title V of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, applicable to a contract with a private shipbuilder for the construction of a vessel under title V of that Act.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 57502(a), (b)46 App.:1192.June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title VII, § 702, 49 Stat. 2008; Pub. L. 85–191, Aug. 28, 1957, 71 Stat. 471; Pub. L. 86–624, § 35(c), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 421; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(104), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 162. 57502(c)46 App.:1193(b).June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title VII, § 703(b), 49 Stat. 2008. In subsection (b), the words “for such new

Construction

or re

Construction

, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter” are omitted as unnecessary.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Merchant Marine Act, 1936, referred to in subsec. (c), is act June 29, 1936, ch. 858, 49 Stat. 1985. Title V of the Act enacted provisions set out as notes under section 53101 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

of 1936 Amendment note set out under section 101 of this title and Tables.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 57502

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110