1998 Year of the Ocean The U.S. Marine Transportation System 



future, to reduce energy and air pollution while promoting economic development and supporting 

 the national preeminent position in interstate commerce. 



Merchant Marine Acts 



Merchant Marine Act of 1920, 46 App. U.S.C. §§ 861 et seq . 

 Merchant Marine Act of 1928, 46 App. U.S.C. § 891 

 Merchant Marine Act of 1936, 56 App. U.S.C. §§ 1 101 et 



The Merchant Marine Acts sought to promote the continued development of the American 

 Merchant Marine. The purpose as stated in the Act of 1920 is that it is necessary for the national 

 defense and proper growth of foreign and domestic commerce that the United States shall have a 

 merchant marine of the best equipped and most suitable types of vessels sufficient to carry the 

 greater portion of its commerce and serve as a naval or military auxiliary in time of war or national 

 emergency, ultimately to be owned by U.S. citizens (section 861). The Act of 1928 provided the 

 Secretary of Transportation authority to remodel and improve the fleet. The Act of 1936 sought to 

 foster continued development and maintenance of the merchant marine. The Act also prevents 

 unjust discrimination by carriers. 



Shipping Acts 



Shipping Act of 1916, 46 App. U.S.C. §§ 801 et seg. 

 Shipping Act of 1984, 46 App. U.S.C. §§ 1701-1720 



The Shipping Acts are intended to establish a non-discriminatory regulatory process for the 

 common carriage of goods by water in the commerce of the United States. The Shipping Acts were 

 modeled on the Interstate Commerce Act. The Act of 1916 governs transportation by water of 

 passengers and property on the high seas or Great Lakes between states, territories, districts or 

 possessions. Carriers are required to establish and file "joint and reasonable rates" with the Federal 

 Maritime Commission. The Act of 1984 governs foreign commerce (repealing provisions of the 

 Act of 1916 re: foreign commerce), and has as its purposes: to establish a non-discriminatory 

 regulatory process for the common carriage of goods by water in foreign commerce of the United 

 States; to provide efficient and economic transportation system in the ocean commerce of the 

 United States, that is responsive and in harmony to international shipping practices; and to 

 encourage development of an economically sound and efficient U.S. flag liner fleet capable of 

 meeting national security needs. The Act allows ocean carriers the right to establish intermodal or 

 through rates in agreements that must be filed with the Federal Maritime Commission. 



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