For the purposes of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (
46 U.S.C. 1177 et seq.),
1
See References in Text note below.
any vessel documented under the laws of the United States and used in providing shipping service to or from any ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be used in, and used in an essential service in, the foreign commerce or foreign trade of the United States, as defined in
section 109 of title 46.