An Act to amend the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to provide permanent legislation for the transportation of a substantial portion of waterborne cargoes in United States flag vessels
PL 83-664 (S.3233), enacted 08/26/1954

832 
PUBLIC LAW 664-AUG. 26, 1954 
[68 ST A T . 
Ante, p. 448. 
30,1954, and the date of enactment of this Act in anticipation of such 
appropriations, authorizations, and authority are hereby ratified and 
confirmed if in accordance with the terms hereof and the terms of 
Public Law 475, Eighty-third Congress. 
Approved August 26, 1954. 
August 26, 1954 
[S. 3233] 
Public Law 664 
CHAPTER936 
AN ACT 
To amend the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to provide permanent legislation 
for the transportation of a substantial portion of waterborne cargoes in 
United States-flag vessels. 
U . S. merchant 
vessels. 
C a r g o prefer-
ence. 
49 Stat. 2015. 
46 u s e 1241. 
15 u s e 616a. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assemhled^ That section 901 
of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, is hereby amended 
by inserting " ( a ) " after "SEC. 901." and by adding at the end of the 
section the following new subsection: 
"(b) whenever the United States shall procure, contract for, or 
otherwise obtain for its own account, or shall furnish to or for the 
account of any foreign nation without provision for reimbursement, 
any equipment, materials, or commodities, within or without the 
United States, or shall advance funds or credits or guarantee the con-
vertibility of foreign currencies in connection with the furnishing of 
such equipment, materials, or commodities, the appropriate agency 
or agencies shall take such steps as may be necessary and practicable 
to assure that at least 50 per centum of the gross tonnage of such 
equipment, materials, or commodities (computed separately for dry 
bulk carriers, dry cargo liners, and tankers), which may be trans-
ported on ocean vessels shall be transported on privately owned 
United States-flag commercial vessels, to the extent such vessels are 
available at fair and reasonable rates for United States-flag commer-
cial vessels, in such manner as will insure a fair and reasonable par-
ticipation of United States-flag commercial vessels in such cargoes by 
geographic areas: Provided^ That the provisions of this subsection 
may be waived whenever the Congress by concurrent resolution or 
otherwise, or the President of the United States or the Secretary of 
Defense declares that an emergency exists justifying a temporary 
waiver of the provisions of section 901 (b) and so notifies the appro-
priate agency or agencies: And provided further, That the provi-
sions of this subsection shall not apply to cargoes carried in the ves-
sels of the Panama Canal Company. Nothing herein shall repeal or 
otherwise modify the provisions of Public Resolution Numbered 17, 
Seventy-third Congress (48 Stat. 500), as amended." 
Approved August 26, 1954. 
August 26, 1954 
[H. R. 9678] 
Public Law 665 
CHAPTER 937 
AN ACT 
To promote the security and foreign policy of the United States by furnishing 
assistance to friendly nations, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
Mutual Security United Statcs of America in Congress assembled^ That this Act may 
Act o
f 1954. 
^^ ^-^g^ ^g ^j^g "Mutual Security Act of 1954".