TITLE 46 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - CHARTERS

46 USC 57511 - Demise charters

A charter by the Secretary of Transportation under this chapter shall demise the vessel to the charterer subject to all usual conditions contained in a bareboat charter. The charter shall be for a term the Secretary considers to be in the best interest of the United States Government and the merchant marine.

46 USC 57512 - Competitive bidding

(a) In General.—
The Secretary of Transportation may charter a vessel of the Department of Transportation to a private operator only on the basis of competitive sealed bidding. The bids must be submitted in strict compliance with the terms and conditions of a public advertisement soliciting the bids.

(b) Advertisement for Bids.—
An advertisement for bids shall state

(1) the number, type, and tonnage of the vessels being offered for bareboat charter for operation as a steamship line on a designated trade route;

(2) the minimum number of sailings required;

(3) the length of time of the charter;

(4) the right of the Secretary to reject all bids; and

(5) other information the Secretary considers necessary for the information of prospective bidders.

(c) Opening of Bids.—
Bids required under this section shall be opened at the time and place stated in the advertisement for bids. All interested persons, including representatives of the press, shall be permitted to attend. The results of the bidding shall be publicly announced.

46 USC 57513 - Minimum bid

The Secretary of Transportation shall reject any bid for the charter under this subchapter of a vessel constructed under this subtitle or the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, if the charter hire offered is lower than the minimum charter hire would be if the vessel were chartered under section 57531 of this title.

46 USC 57514 - Qualifications of bidders

(a) Considerations.—
In deciding whether to award a charter to a bidder, the Secretary of Transportation shall consider

(1) the bidders financial resources, credit standing, and practical experience in operating vessels; and

(2) other factors a prudent business person would consider in entering into a transaction involving a large capital investment.

(b) Disqualifications.—
The Secretary may not charter a vessel to a person appearing to lack sufficient capital, credit, and experience to operate the vessel successfully over the period covered by the charter.

46 USC 57515 - Awarding of charters

(a) In General.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall award the charter to the bidder proposing to pay the highest monthly charter hire. However, the Secretary may reject the highest or most advantageous or any other bid if the Secretary considers the charter hire offered too low or determines that the bidder lacks the qualifications required by section 57514 of this title.

(b) Highest Bid Rejected.—
If the Secretary rejects the highest bid, the Secretary may

(1) award the charter to the next highest bidder; or

(2) reject all bids and either readvertise the line or operate the line until conditions appear more favorable to reoffer the line for private charter.

46 USC 57516 - Operating-differential subsidies

If the Secretary of Transportation considers it necessary, the Secretary may make a contract with a charterer of a vessel owned by the Secretary for payment of an operating-differential subsidy, on the same terms and conditions, and subject to the same limitations and restrictions, as otherwise provided with respect to payment of operating-differential subsidies to operators of privately-owned vessels.

46 USC 57517 - Recovery of excess profits

(a) In General.—
A charter under this chapter shall provide that if, at the end of a calendar year subsequent to the execution of the charter, the cumulative net voyage profit (after payment of the charter hire reserved in the charter and payment of the charterers fair and reasonable overhead expenses applicable to operation of the chartered vessel) exceeds 10 percent a year of the charterers capital necessarily employed in the business of the chartered vessel, the charterer shall pay to the Secretary of Transportation, as additional charter hire, half the cumulative net voyage profit in excess of 10 percent a year. However, any cumulative net voyage profit accounted for under this subsection is not to be included in the calculation of cumulative net voyage profit in any subsequent year.

(b) Terms To Be Defined and Used.—
The Secretary shall define the terms net voyage profit, fair and reasonable overhead expenses, and capital necessarily employed for this section. Each advertisement for bids and each charter shall contain these definitions, stating the formula for determining each of these three amounts.

46 USC 57518 - Performance bond

The Secretary of Transportation shall require a charterer of a vessel of the Secretary to deposit with the Secretary an undertaking, with approved sureties, in such amount as the Secretary may require as security for the faithful performance of the terms of the charter, including indemnity against liens on the chartered vessel.

46 USC 57519 - Insurance

A charter under this chapter shall require the charterer to carry, at the charterers expense, insurance on the chartered vessel covering all marine and port risks, protection and indemnity risks, and all other hazards and liabilities, adequate to cover damages claimed against and losses sustained by the chartered vessel arising during the term of the charter. The insurance shall be in such form, in such amount, and with such companies as the Secretary of Transportation may require. In accordance with law, any of the insurance risks may be underwritten by the Secretary.

46 USC 57520 - Vessel maintenance

(a) In General.—
A charter under this chapter shall require the charterer, at the charterers expense, to

(1) keep the chartered vessel in good repair and efficient operating condition; and

(2) make any repairs required by the Secretary of Transportation.

(b) Inspection.—
The charter shall provide that the Secretary has the right to inspect the vessel at any time to ascertain its condition.

46 USC 57521 - Termination of charter during national emergency

A charter under this chapter shall provide that during a national emergency proclaimed by the President or a period for which the President has proclaimed that the security of the national defense makes it advisable, the Secretary of Transportation may terminate the charter without cost to the United States Government on such notice to the charterer as the President determines.