Business · Energy & Commodities · 2 hrs ago
Trump Extends Waiver Allowing Foreign Ships to Carry Cargo Between US Ports
Donald Trump extended the Jones Act waiver for 90 days, allowing foreign-flagged ships to carry oil and other goods between US ports.
The 1920 law normally requires cargo moving between US ports to travel on ships that are built, owned and crewed in the United States.
Foreign ships still need approval for each voyage, and shippers must show that suitable US vessels are unavailable.
The administration says more shipping options could help contain fuel and fertilizer prices as the war with Iran pushes energy costs higher.
US gasoline averaged $3.91 per gallon, up from $2.98 before the war began, while diesel averaged $6.10, compared with $3.76.
Relaxing the law may offer little relief at the pump, and lawmakers have raised concerns about US maritime jobs and national security; the extension keeps the individual-approval process in place.
President Donald Trump extended a waiver of the Jones Act for 90 days, allowing foreign-flagged ships to carry cargo between U.S. ports.
The extension keeps in place a process requiring individual approval for each voyage.
The administration says greater shipping flexibility could help contain fuel and fertilizer prices as the war with Iran drives up energy costs.
The waiver is due to take effect on November 16 at midnight New York time.
The Jones Act requires cargo moving between U.S. ports to be carried on vessels that meet U.S. ownership, construction and crew requirements.
- Who
- President Donald Trump extended the waiver.
- What
- The extension allows foreign-flagged ships to carry cargo between U.S. ports for another 90 days, subject to individual voyage approvals.
- When
- Announced on November 13, 2026; it takes effect November 16 at midnight New York time.
- Where
- Between U.S. ports.
- Why
- The administration says the flexibility could help contain fuel and fertilizer prices amid higher energy costs linked to the war with Iran.
Trump administration
Jones Act supporters and critics of relaxing its restrictions
Fuel prices
Trump administration
The administration hopes more shipping options will help contain fuel prices.
Jones Act supporters and critics of relaxing its restrictions
Critics say relaxing the law would save consumers only pennies per gallon.
Maritime industry
Trump administration
The extension allows approved foreign vessels to carry cargo between U.S. ports.
Jones Act supporters and critics of relaxing its restrictions
More than 50 Republican lawmakers urged Trump to restore restrictions, citing maritime jobs and national security.
The first restrictions under the Jones Act were waived, according to the Cato Institute figures cited by Vedomosti.
More than 50 Republican lawmakers urged Trump to restore the restrictions.
The administration switched from blanket exemptions to individual voyage approvals.
Trump extended the waiver for another 90 days.
The extension is set to take effect at midnight New York time.
- Extension
- 90 days
- Effective date
- November 16, 2026, at midnight New York time
- Law
- Jones Act, enacted in 1920
- Voyage approvals
- 48 since the switch to individual approvals in August, according to government figures cited by Reuters
- Gasoline price
- $3.91 per gallon on Thursday, compared with $2.98 before the Iran war began
- Diesel price
- $6.10 per gallon, compared with $3.76 before the Iran war began
2 sources
What people are saying
Trump decided to extend for 90 days the waiver of provisions of the century-old Jones Act, which require cargo transported between U.S. ports to be carried on vessels owned and operated by Americans