MaritimeFedWatch

The active 2017 hurricane season has put a spotlight on the “Jones Act,” a section of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920. The issuance of Jones Act waivers after Hurricanes  Irma and Maria is receiving much attention, but like most information circulating during a crisis, much of it is inaccurate. So what is the Jones Act? And why does it matter so much? 

On September 11, DHS expanded the waiver to cover more states and to end a week later.

On September 8, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a waiver of the Jones Act with respect to the movement of refined petroleum products from certain states effective immediately and lasting seven days to be shipped to South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Puerto Rico.  On September 12, DHS issued clarifying guidance requiring DHS notifications associated with the waiver.

On September 8, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a waiver of the Jones Act with respect to the movement of merchandise between points in the United States effective immediately and lasting seven days for the movement of refined petroleum products to be shipped from New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Louisiana to South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Puerto Rico.  

In connection with the financing crisis in Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico commissioned a report on changes that can be made to reverse the situation. The report – “Puerto Rico – A Way Forward” – was released on June 29, 2015.