---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 55605"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "55605"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/55605"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part D — Promotional Programs"
  - "Chapter 556 — Marine Highways"
---

# §55605. Definitions


In this chapter:

- (1) The term “marine highway transportation” means the carriage by a documented [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) of [cargo](/usc/46/53901.md?p=2) (including such carriage of [cargo](/usc/46/53901.md?p=2) and passengers), if such [cargo](/usc/46/53901.md?p=2)—
  - (A) is—
    - (i) contained in intermodal [cargo](/usc/46/53901.md?p=2) containers and loaded by crane on the [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9);
    - (ii) loaded on the [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) by means of wheeled technology, including roll-on roll-off [cargo](/usc/46/53901.md?p=2);
    - (iii) shipped in discrete units or packages that are handled individually, palletized, or unitized for purposes of transportation;
    - (iv) bulk, liquid, or loose [cargo](/usc/46/53901.md?p=2) loaded in tanks, holds, hoppers, or on deck; or
    - (v) freight vehicles carried aboard commuter [ferry](/usc/46/2101.md?p=10) boats; and
  - (B) is—
    - (i) loaded at a port in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) and unloaded either at another port in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) or at a port in Canada or Mexico; or
    - (ii) loaded at a port in Canada or Mexico and unloaded at a port in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10).
- (2) The term “Tribal government” means the recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or component reservation, individually identified (including parenthetically) in the list published most recently, as of the date of enactment of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for [Fiscal Year](/usc/46/53201.md?p=6) 2023, pursuant to section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 ([25 U.S.C. 5131](/usc/25/5131.md)).
- (3) The term “Alaska Native Corporation” has the meaning given the term “Native Corporation” under section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ([43 U.S.C. 1602](/usc/43/1602.md)).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 110–140, title XI, § 1121(a), Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1761; amended Pub. L. 112–213, title IV, § 405(b), Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1571; Pub. L. 114–92, div. C, title XXXV, § 3508, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 1223; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII [LXXXIII], § 8332(d)(6), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4705; Pub. L. 117–263, div. C, title XXXV, § 3521(d)(1), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3079.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The date of enactment of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, referred to in par. (2), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 117–263, which was approved Dec. 23, 2022.

### Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–263 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section defined the term “marine highway transportation” as used in this chapter.

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “Marine highway” for “Short sea” in section catchline and “marine highway transportation” for “short sea transportation” in introductory provisions.

2015—Par. (1)(C), (D). Pub. L. 114–92 added subpars. (C) and (D).

2012—Pub. L. 112–213, which directed amendment of section 55605, without specifying the title to be amended, by substituting “by a documented vessel” for “by vessel” in the matter preceding par. (1), was executed to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.