Bill aims to close Jones Act ‘loopholes’

Newly proposed legislation in Congress would make it tougher for foreign vessels and their crews to work in the U.S. offshore energy sector.

The bill, Close Agency Loopholes to the Jones Act, was introduced on Wednesday by U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif. It attempts to terminate 50 years of so-called “letter rulings” issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that effectively function as short-term Jones Act waivers for foreign shipowners.

Garamendi argues that CBP has not properly used its...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/bill-aims-to-close-jones-act-loopholes

Jones Act waiver for Puerto Rico relaxes rules on foreign tankers

National Guard delivering water in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona

The Biden administration has approved a “temporary and targeted” Jones Act waiver to boost fuel supplies to hurricane-battered Puerto Rico. But supporters of the law argue the waiver is unnecessary and could disrupt recovery operations on the island.

“In response to urgent and immediate needs of the Puerto Rican people in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, I have approved a temporary and targeted Jones Act waiver to ensure that the people of Puerto Rico have sufficient diesel to run generators...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/jones-act-waiver-for-puerto-rico-relaxes-rules-on-foreign-tankers