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529US1

Unit: $U35

[09-26-01 09:32:43] PAGES PGT: OPIN

Cite as: 529 U. S. 89 (2000)

103

Opinion of the Court

I. L. M. 546, and the International Convention of Standards
of Training, Certiﬁcation and Watchkeeping for Seafarers,
With Annex, 1978 (STCW), S. Exec. Doc. EE, 96–1, C. T. I. A.
No. 7624.

The United States argues that these treaties, as the su-
preme law of the land, have pre-emptive force over the state
regulations in question here. We need not reach that issue
at this stage of the case because the state regulations we
address in detail below are pre-empted by federal statute
and regulations. The existence of the treaties and agree-
ments on standards of shipping is of relevance, of course, for
these agreements give force to the longstanding rule that
the enactment of a uniform federal scheme displaces state
law, and the treaties indicate Congress will have demanded
national uniformity regarding maritime commerce. See
Ray, 435 U. S., at 166 (recognizing Congress anticipated “ar-
riving at international standards for building tank vessels”
and understanding “the Nation was to speak with one voice”
on these matters).
In later proceedings, if it is deemed nec-
essary for full disposition of the case, it should be open to
the parties to argue whether the speciﬁc international agree-
ments and treaties are of binding, pre-emptive force. We do
not reach those questions, for it may be that pre-emption
principles applicable to the basic federal statutory structure
will sufﬁce, upon remand, for a complete determination.

III

In Ray v. Atlantic Richﬁeld, supra, the Court was asked
to review, in light of an established federal and international
regulatory scheme, comprehensive tanker regulations im-
posed by the State of Washington. The Court held that the
PWSA and Coast Guard regulations promulgated under that
Act pre-empted a state pilotage requirement, Washington’s
limitation on tanker size, and tanker design and construc-
tion rules.