US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

46 U.S.C. § 12112

Coastwise endorsement

(a)

Requirements .—

A coastwise endorsement may be issued for a vessel that—
(1)
section 12103 of this title satisfies the requirements of ;
(2)
(A)
was built in the United States; or
(B)
if not built in the United States—
(i)
was captured in war by citizens of the United States and lawfully condemned as prize;
(ii)
was adjudged to be forfeited for a breach of the laws of the United States; or
(iii)
section 12107 of this title qualifies as a wrecked vessel under ; and
(3)
otherwise qualifies under the laws of the United States to engage in the coastwise trade.
(b)

Authorized Activity .—

Subject to the laws of the United States regulating the coastwise trade, a vessel for which a coastwise endorsement is issued may engage in the coastwise trade.

Pub. L. 109–304, § 5120 Stat. 1495(, , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

12112(a)

46:12106(a).

12112(b)

46:12106(b).

In subsection (b), the word “only” is omitted because section 12102(a), as revised by the bill, contains a general requirement for appropriate documentation to engage in any trade.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 98–8997 Stat. 588Pub. L. 100–710, title I, § 104(a)(4)102 Stat. 4750Pub. L. 101–225, title III, § 301(a)(11)103 Stat. 1922Pub. L. 109–304section 12115 of this titleA prior section 12112, , , ; , , ; , , , originally derived from section 65p of former Title 46, Shipping, related to vessels procured outside the United States, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by . See .

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Certain Vessels Engaged in Alaska Coastwise Trade

Pub. L. 108–293, title VI, § 608(b)118 Stat. 1056

“(1)

In general .—

46 U.S.C. 50501section 101 of this titlesection 12106(e) of title 46Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person shall be treated as a citizen of the United States under section 12102(a) [now section 12103(a), (b)] of title 46, United States Code, section 2 of the Shipping Act, 1916 ([former] 46 U.S.C. App. 802) [see ], and section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 ([former] 46 U.S.C. App. 883) [see Disposition Table preceding ], for purposes of issuance of a coastwise endorsement under , United States Code (as that section was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act []), for a vessel owned by the person on the date of enactment of this Act, or any replacement vessel of a similar size and function, if the person—
“(A)
section 12106(e) of title 46 owned a vessel before , that had a coastwise endorsement under [former] , United States Code; and
“(B)
as of the date of the enactment of this Act [], derives substantially all of its revenue from leasing vessels engaged in the transportation or distribution of petroleum products and other cargo in Alaska.
“(2)

Limitation on coastwise trade .—

section 12106(e) of title 46A vessel owned by a person described in paragraph (1) for which a coastwise endorsement is issued under [former] , United States Code, may be employed in the coastwise trade only within Alaska and in the coastwise trade to and from Alaska.
“(3)

Termination .—

The application of this subsection to a person described in paragraph (1) shall terminate if all of that person’s vessels described in paragraph (1) are sold to a person eligible to document vessels under section 12106(a) [now section 12112(a)] of title 46, United States Code.”
, , , provided that: