---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 55123"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "55123"
heading: "Priority loading for coal"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/55123"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part D — Promotional Programs"
  - "Chapter 551 — Coastwise Trade"
---

# §55123. Priority loading for coal


A [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) engaged in the coastwise transportation of coal produced in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10), from a port in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) to another port in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10), shall be given priority in loading at any of those ports ahead of a waiting [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) engaged in the export transportation of coal produced in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10). However, if the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of Transportation finds that it is in the national interest, the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) may eliminate this priority loading at any port. The [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) shall report to Congress within 30 days an action eliminating priority loading under this section.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1642, § 55301; renumbered § 55123, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title X, § 1024(b)(1)(A), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3842.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 55301 | 46 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.