46 USC § 56303 - Compensation

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s56303"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 56303 - Compensation"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "56303"
section_name: "Compensation"
chapter_number: 563
chapter_name: "EMERGENCY ACQUISITION OF VESSELS"
part_number: "E"
part_name: "Control of Merchant Marine Capabilities"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1655.)"
---


# § 56303. Compensation

**(a)** **In General.—** As soon as practicable, the Secretary of Transportation shall determine and pay just compensation for a vessel requisitioned under this chapter.

**(b)** **Factors Not Affecting Value.—** The value of a vessel may not be considered enhanced by the circumstances requiring its requisition. Consequential damages arising from the requisition may not be paid.

**(c)** **Effect of Construction-Differential Subsidy.—**

**(1)** **If paid.—** If a construction-differential subsidy has been paid for the vessel, the value of the vessel at the time of requisition shall be determined under section 802 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936.

**(2)** **If not paid.—** If a construction-differential subsidy has not been paid for the vessel, the value of any national defense features previously paid for by the United States Government shall be excluded.

**(d)** **Loss or Damage During Charter.—** If a vessel is lost or damaged by a risk assumed by the Government under the charter, but a valuation for the vessel or a means of compensation has not been agreed to, the Secretary shall pay just compensation for the loss or damage, to the extent the person is not reimbursed through insurance.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1655.)

| RevisedSection | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 56303(a) | 46 App.:1242(a) (3d sentence words before 2d comma), (d) (1st par. words before 2d comma). | June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title IX, § 902(a) (3d, last sentences), (b), (d) (1st par. words before 2d comma), 49 Stat. 2015, 2016; Aug. 7, 1939, ch. 555, § 3, 53 Stat. 1255; Aug. 3, 1956, ch. 929, § 3, 70 Stat. 985; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(131), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 165. |
| 56303(b) | 46 App.:1242(a) (3d sentence words after 2d comma, last sentence). |  |
| 56303(c) | 46 App.:1242(b). |  |
| 56303(d) | 46 App.:1242(c) (last sentence). |  |

## Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 802 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is section 802 of , , which is set out as a note under .