AWO Responds to Trump Administration's Jones Act Waiver Extension

## AWO Issues Statement on Jones Act Waiver Extension The American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national trade association representing the U.S. tugboat, towboat, and barge industry, has released an official statement in response to the Trump Administration's announcement extending a Jones Act waiver, according to a PR Newswire release dated August 10, 2026. The Arlington, Virginia-based organization, which serves as the primary advocacy body for domestic inland and coastal waterway carriers, weighed in on the administration's decision — a move that carries significant implications for American maritime commerce and the thousands of mariners and shore-side workers employed across the Jones Act fleet. ### What Is the Jones Act? The Jones Act — formally known as Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 — requires that cargo transported between U.S. ports be carried aboard vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, U.S.-owned, and crewed by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The law is a cornerstone of American maritime policy, designed to protect domestic shipbuilding capacity and ensure a ready reserve of trained mariners for national defense purposes. Waivers to the Jones Act are occasionally granted by the federal government, typically in response to emergency supply disruptions such as hurricanes or energy shortfalls. Critics of such waivers argue they undermine the domestic maritime industry and the long-term viability of the U.S.-flag fleet, while proponents contend they are necessary tools for managing acute supply chain crises. ### Industry Response The AWO's decision to issue a formal statement signals the association's intent to engage directly with the administration on the scope, duration, and justification of the waiver extension. The domestic barge and towing sector is particularly sensitive to Jones Act policy, as inland waterway carriers operate exclusively within U.S. waters and depend on the protections the law affords against foreign competition. The full text of the AWO's statement was made available via PR Newswire. Further details regarding the specific terms of the waiver extension — including which trade lanes or cargo types are affected — had not been fully disclosed at the time of publication. ### Industry Significance Jones Act waiver decisions consistently draw close scrutiny from maritime stakeholders, including vessel operators, shipyards, labor unions, and port authorities. Any extension of existing waivers is likely to prompt continued advocacy from industry groups seeking to preserve the integrity of the domestic maritime cabotage framework. The AWO represents more than 300 member companies operating approximately 5,000 tugboats, towboats, and barges on U.S. waterways, making it one of the most influential voices in American maritime policy debates.