The White House is expected to extend a waiver of the century-old Jones Act in the coming days, reaching for one of the few tools it has to try and hold down gasoline prices. The move would be a continuation of a policy that has been a subject of controversy in the maritime industry.
The Jones Act, which requires all goods transported by water between U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-built and U.S.-crewed ships, has been waived several times in recent years to address supply chain disruptions and price volatility. The waiver would allow foreign-flagged ships to transport oil and other goods between U.S. ports, potentially reducing costs and alleviating pressure on gasoline prices.