MaritimeFedWatch

On July 15, 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the creation of the National Jones Act Division of Enforcement to be located in the New Orleans Field Office. According to the announcement, the “mission of JADE will be to assist CBP and industry partners on issues concerning coastwise trade, with the goal of being a clearinghouse for all coastwise trade issues.” The announcement notes, however, that carrier ruling requests will continue to be directed to the Office of Regulations and Rulings in CBP HQ. How JADE will coordinate with or relate to that Office or to the CBP penalties functions is not spelled out in the announcement.