# 46 CFR § 294.9: Product tanker vessel eligibility requirements

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.9

## Section

- **Citation:** 46 CFR § 294.9
- **Heading:** Product tanker vessel eligibility requirements
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 46—Shipping > CHAPTER II—MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION > SUBCHAPTER C—REGULATIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIZED VESSELS AND OPERATORS > PART 294—TANKER SECURITY PROGRAM (TSP) > Subpart B—Establishment of a Tanker Security Fleet

## Text

(a) Eligibility. To be eligible to be included in the fleet, the vessel must:
(1) Meet the requirements of § 294.11;
(2) Operate (or in the case of a vessel to be constructed, will be operated) in providing transportation in United States foreign commerce;
(3) Be self-propelled;
(4) Be not more than 10 years of age on the date the vessel is first included in the TSP Fleet;
(5) Be suitable for use by the United States for national defense or military purposes in time of war or national emergency, as determined by the Secretary of War;
(6) Be commercially viable, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation; and
(7) Be—
(i) A vessel of the United States; or
(ii) Not a vessel of the United States, but the owner of the vessel has demonstrated that—
(A) The vessel is eligible for a USCG certificate of inspection; and
(B) The vessel owner intends to have the vessel documented under 46 U.S.C. ch. 121 at the time the vessel is to be included in the TSP Fleet.
(b) Telecommunications and other electronic equipment. The telecommunications and other electronic equipment on an existing vessel that is redocumented under the laws of the United States for operation under a TSP Operating Agreement will satisfy all Federal Communications Commission equipment certification requirements if:
(1) The equipment complies with all applicable international agreements and associated guidelines as determined by the country in which the vessel was documented immediately before becoming documented under the laws of the United States;
(2) The country has not been identified by the Secretary as inadequately enforcing international regulations as to that vessel; and
(3) The equipment, at the end of its useful life, will be replaced with equipment that meets Federal Communications Commission equipment certification standards.

## Nearby sections

- [46 CFR § 294.1 § 294.1 Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.1.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.3 § 294.3 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.3.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.5 § 294.5 Applications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.5.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.7 § 294.7 Procedural waivers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.7.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.9 § 294.9 Product tanker vessel eligibility requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.9.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.11 § 294.11 Owner, charterer, and operator citizenship eligibility requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.11.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.13 § 294.13 Special rule for TSP Fleet Vessel entry age.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.13.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.15 § 294.15 Initial award of TSP Operating Agreements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.15.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.17 § 294.17 Subsequent award of TSP Operating Agreements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.17.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.19 § 294.19 Nature of award procedure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.19.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.21 § 294.21 General conditions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.21.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.23 § 294.23 Special terms.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.23.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.25 § 294.25 National security modifications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.25.md)
- [46 CFR § 294.27 § 294.27 Financial reporting.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.27.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-294.9. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
