---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 57111"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "57111"
heading: "Definition of obsolete vessel"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/57111"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part F — Government-Owned Merchant Vessels"
  - "Chapter 571 — General Authority"
---

# §57111. Definition of obsolete vessel


In this chapter, the term “[obsolete vessel](/usc/46/57301.md?p=2)” means a [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) that—

- (1) is or will be in the custody and control of the Maritime Administration for purposes of disposing of the [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9); and
- (2) has been determined by the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of Transportation to be of insufficient value, with respect to the programs of the Maritime Administration, to warrant—
  - (A) preserving for future use or spare parts harvesting; or
  - (B) retaining in the National Defense Reserve [Fleet](/usc/46/53101.md?p=3).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. C, title XXXV, § 3514(j)(1)(B), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 811.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 57111 was renumbered section 57110 of this title.