White House prepares oil industry for Jones Act waiver
The White House told oil companies to prepare for a potential Jones Act waiver. This move would ease restrictions on moving fuel around the United States.
The Trump administration has advised oil companies and shipping organizations in the United States to prepare for a potential waiver of the Jones Act, a century-old federal law that governs domestic maritime commerce. This move suggests the White House may soon ease long-standing restrictions to facilitate the more efficient movement of fuel supplies across the country. Two sources familiar with the internal discussions indicated that the administration has already begun signaling its intent to industry stakeholders. The Jones Act mandates that any cargo transported between two domestic ports must be carried on vessels that are built in the country, fly the national flag, and are owned and crewed by citizens. A waiver of these requirements is typically reserved for national emergencies or significant supply chain disruptions, allowing foreign-flagged vessels to assist in the transport of critical energy resources.
