United States waives Jones Act shipping rules for 60 days
The Jones Act's domestic-only coastal shipping restriction is suspended for 60 days, removing the legal barrier that normally limits coastwise trade to US-flagged vessels and permitting non‑US ships to perform covered domestic shipments.
Change
United States waived the Jones Act for 60 days, permitting foreign-flagged vessels to carry oil, natural gas, fertiliser and coal between US ports.
Why it matters
The legal requirement that domestic shipments use US-built, owned and crewed vessels is suspended for the waiver period, removing a binding supplier restriction on coastwise logistics. Contracts and operational plans that assumed Jones Act compliance are now uncertain and may not be enforceable for voyages within the 60-day window.
Implications
- — Refinery and fuel distribution procurement teams must source and book foreign-flagged vessel capacity for domestic coastwise legs within the 60-day waiver or face delivery shortfalls.
- — Fertiliser importers' procurement teams must secure transport on foreign-flagged ships before the waiver expires to protect spring planting deliveries or risk missing critical supply windows.
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