§ 1172. Determination of necessity of subsidy to meet competition
Except with respect to cruises authorized under section
1183 of this Appendix, no contract for an operating-differential subsidy shall be made by the Secretary of Transportation for the operation of a vessel or vessels to meet foreign competition, except direct foreign-flag competition, until and unless the Secretary of Transportation, after a full and complete investigation and hearing, shall determine that an operating-differential subsidy is necessary to meet competition of foreign-flag ships.