§ 55334. Restrictions on operations
(a)
Prohibitions.—
Except as provided in subsection (b), an American Great Lakes vessel may not be used to—
(1)
engage in trade—
(A)
from a port in the United States that is not located on the Great Lakes; or
(B)
between ports in the United States;
(2)
transport bulk cargo (as defined in section
40102 of this title) that is subject to section
55305 or
55314 of this title or section
2631 of title
10; or
(3)
provide a service (except ocean freight service) as—
(A)
a contract carrier; or
(B)
a common carrier on a fixed advertised schedule offering frequent sailings at regular intervals in the foreign trade of the United States.
(b)
Off-Season Exception.—
An American Great Lakes vessel may be used for not more than 90 days during any 12-month period to engage in trade prohibited by subsection (a)(1)(A), except during the Great Lakes shipping season.