Trump Waives Jones Act for 60 Days, but Shipping Interests Say It Won't Help Lower Gas Prices

In a move that has drawn criticism from the U.S. maritime industry, the White House has approved a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act, a law that requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on vessels that are U.S.-built, -owned, -crewed, and -flagged. According to gCaptain, the Jones Act waiver was intended to help alleviate supply chain issues and potentially lower fuel prices. However, U.S. shipping interests have warned that the waiver is unlikely to have a meaningful impact on gas prices. "The Jones Act has nothing to do with the price of gasoline," said Ku'uhaku Park, president of the American Maritime Partnership. "Suspending the Jones Act will not provide any relief to the high prices Americans are paying at the pump." The Maritime Executive reports that the Jones Act requires domestic maritime commerce to be carried on vessels that meet strict American construction, ownership, and crewing standards. Proponents of the law argue it supports the U.S. shipbuilding industry and national security by maintaining a robust American maritime fleet. Critics, however, contend the Jones Act increases shipping costs and reduces competition. The 60-day waiver is intended to provide more flexibility in the supply chain, but maritime industry groups say the impact will be negligible. "There is no shortage of Jones Act-qualified vessels to move products," Park added. "The supply chain issues we're seeing are due to broader economic factors, not because of the Jones Act." While the Biden administration has faced pressure to suspend the Jones Act, the 60-day waiver represents a limited concession that is unlikely to provide significant relief for American consumers dealing with high fuel prices.