Window on Washington: Havana: Day Dreaming?

This article originally appeared in the First Quarter 2016 issue of Benedict’s Maritime Bulletin. Reprinted with permission. Any opinions in this article are not those of Winston & Strawn or its clients; the opinions in this article are the author’s opinions only.

The Obama Administration took significant steps to normalize relations with Cuba during 2015 that are likely to turn into concrete market opportunities for the maritime industry in the near term, particularly passenger cruise and ferry traffic. Although the embargo remains in place and many in Congress oppose the President’s initiative, there seems little likelihood of meaningful legislative action to stop it. And once the door has been cracked open and commerce starts to flow between the United States and Cuba, it will take on its own momentum becoming increasingly difficult for Congress, or the next President, to undo what may become a pillar of President Obama’s foreign policy legacy.