MARKET STRUCTURE · REGULATORY · USA
President Trump waives Jones Act for 60 days
Change
President Donald Trump issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act, temporarily allowing foreign-flagged vessels to transport goods between US ports.
Why it matters
President Donald Trump issued a binding 60-day waiver of the Jones Act. The waiver permits foreign-flagged vessels to carry goods between US ports for the duration of the 60-day window. The waiver explicitly lists energy-related cargos such as oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal among covered commodities. The Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) normally restricts coastal trade to US-flagged vessels, a restriction that is suspended during the waiver period.
Implications
- · Expands the pool of vessels eligible to perform coastwise domestic shipments to include foreign-flagged ships during the waiver period.
- · Increases available shipping capacity for energy and bulk commodity movements between US ports for 60 days.
- · Alters operational and chartering arrangements for shippers, port operators, and freight forwarders handling covered cargoes.
- · Modifies short-term compliance and documentation practices for coastal shipments to reflect the temporary suspension of the US-flag requirement.
Who is affected
- · Coastal shippers and freight forwarders
- · Port operators and terminal managers
- · Energy producers, refiners, and fuel distributors
- · Operators and charterers of foreign-flagged vessels
What to watch
- · Waiver duration: 60 days from the announcement
Source
Topics
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