US maritime group urges Trump to let Jones Act waiver lapse

· Shipping · United States

The American Maritime Partnership (AMP) is urging President Donald Trump to allow the emergency Jones Act waiver to expire on November 15, warning that nearly eight months of exemptions have affected the domestic fleet. The Jones Act requires goods moved between US ports to travel on US-built, US-owned and US-crewed vessels; the emergency waiver was granted during the disruption caused by the Iran war. AMP argues the prolonged exemption has undermined the law's protections for domestic shipowners and crews. The outcome will determine whether foreign-flag vessels can keep serving certain domestic routes into next year.

Why it matters：The decision sets whether foreign-flag tonnage stays available for US domestic trades, directly affecting coastal operators, shippers and the shipowners protected by the law.

Key points

  • AMP wants the emergency Jones Act waiver to lapse on November 15
  • The group says nearly eight months of exemptions have hit the domestic fleet
  • The waiver was granted amid disruption from the Iran war

Sources (original reporting)

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