Bill Introduced in Congress to Permit Foreign-Built Vessels to Serve Puerto Rico

On July 25, 2013, Res. Comm. Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico introduced H.R. 2838 to amend the Jones Act with respect to the transportation bulk cargo to Puerto Rico. The Jones Act requires the use of U.S.-flag vessels built in the United States and owned and operated by qualified U.S. citizens for the transportation of all merchandise between the continental United States and Puerto Rico (as well as to Alaska and Hawaii). H.R. 2838 would continue to require the use of U.S.-flag vessels for the Puerto Rico trade, but such vessels could be constructed outside the United States for the carriage of bulk cargo, including liquefied natural gas (LNG). 

This entry has been created for information and planning purposes. It is not intended to be, nor should it be substituted for, legal advice, which turns on specific facts.