President Trump has extended the Jones Act waiver for an additional 90 days, allowing foreign-flagged vessels to continue transporting oil and other commodities between U.S. ports. The current waiver had been set to expire August 16; the extension now runs through November 14.

The President has narrowed the scope of relief, requiring case-by-case review of individual voyages. Going forward, the Pentagon must consult with the U.S. Maritime Administration on the availability of U.S.-flagged, -owned, and -operated vessels before deciding whether the waiver applies to a given voyage.

The extension is also focused more squarely on energy. It covers a much smaller assortment of commodities than the original policy, including gasoline, jet fuel, crude oil, naphtha, liquefied natural gas, soy oil, and fertilizers.

This announcement comes just after NEFI and NPGA transmitted a coalition letter to the White House on July 24, signed by 15 national, state, and regional associations, urging that the waiver be extended once again. NEFI will continue pressing for a durable, longer-term solution and for meaningful reform of the Jones Act.

For more information, please contact NEFI Manager of Government Affairs, Liam Dotson, at liam.dotson@nefi.com.