---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 50102"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "50102"
heading: "Survey of merchant marine"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/50102"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part A — General"
  - "Chapter 501 — Policy, Studies, and Reports"
---

# §50102. Survey of merchant marine

- (a) **In General.—** The [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of Transportation shall survey the merchant marine of the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) to determine whether replacements and additions are required to carry out the objectives and policy of [section 50101 of this title](/usc/46/50101.md). The [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) shall study, perfect, and adopt a long-range program for replacements and additions that will result, as soon as practicable, in—
  - (1) an adequate and well-balanced merchant [fleet](/usc/46/53101.md?p=3), including [vessels](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) of all types, that will provide shipping service essential for maintaining the flow of [foreign commerce](/usc/46/53101.md?p=4) by [vessels](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) designed to be readily and quickly convertible into transport and supply [vessels](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) in a time of national emergency;
  - (2) ownership and operation of the [fleet](/usc/46/53101.md?p=3) by citizens of the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) insofar as practicable;
  - (3) [vessels](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) designed to afford the best and most complete protection for passengers and crew against fire and all marine perils; and
  - (4) an efficient capacity for building and repairing [vessels](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) with an adequate number of skilled personnel to provide an adequate mobilization base.
- (b) **Cooperation With Secretary of Navy.—** In carrying out [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1), the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of Transportation shall cooperate closely with the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of the Navy as to national defense requirements.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(b), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1557.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 50102 | 46 App.:1120. | June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title II, § 210, 49 Stat. 1989; Pub. L. 91–469, §§ 3, 35(a), Oct. 21, 1970, 84 Stat. 1018, 1035; Pub.L. 97–31, § 12(67) (related to § 210), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 159. |