NATIONAL DEFENSE TANK VESSEL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM.

SEC. 3541. NATIONAL DEFENSE TANK VESSEL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM. The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a program for the provision of financial assistance for the construction in the United States of a fleet of up to 5 privately owned product tank vessels—(1) to be operated in commercial service in foreign commerce; and (2) to be available for national defense purposes in time of war or national emergency pursuant to an Emergency Preparedness Plan approved by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to section 3543(e).