---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 55331"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "55331"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/55331"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part D — Promotional Programs"
  - "Chapter 553 — Passenger and Cargo Preferences"
  - "Subchapter III — American Great Lakes Vessels"
---

# §55331. Definitions


In this subchapter:

- (1) **American great lakes vessel.—** The term “American Great Lakes vessel” means a [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) so designated under [section 55332 of this title](/usc/46/55332.md), but only during the period the designation is in effect.
- (2) **Great lakes.—** The term “Great Lakes” means Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Saint Lawrence River west of Saint Regis, New York, and their connecting and tributary waters.
- (3) **Great lakes shipping season.—** The term “Great Lakes shipping season” means the period each year during which the Saint Lawrence Seaway is open for navigation by [vessels](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9), as declared by the [Great Lakes](#2) St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1648; Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title V, § 512(c)(6)(E), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2757.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 55331 | 46 App.:1241v. | Pub. L. 101–624, title XV, § 1527, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3668. |

In paragraph (1), the words “but only during the period the designation is in effect” are added for clarity.

In paragraph (3), the words “created by the Act of May 13, 1954 (33 U.S.C. 981 et seq.)” are omitted as unnecessary.

The definition of “Secretary” in 46 App. U.S.C. 1241v(4) is omitted as unnecessary because the full title of the Secretary of Transportation is used the first time the Secretary is referred to in each section.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2020—Par. (3). Pub. L. 116–260 substituted “Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation” for “Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation”.