Trump extends Jones Act waiver until November 2026, impacting fuel transport and prices

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has extended a critical exemption to the Jones Act, a century-old maritime regulation, until November 2026. This decision aims to ensure the steady supply of energy products and prevent sharp increases in gasoline prices within the United States.

The exemption permits foreign-flagged vessels to transport commodities like oil, gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel between U.S. ports. Originally set to expire on August 16, the 90-day extension, effective from August 17, will allow this practice to continue. However, the Trump administration has narrowed the scope of this waiver.

Under the new terms, each journey undertaken by a foreign-flagged ship will undergo an individual review, a departure from the previous blanket authorization. This adjustment comes at a time of significant volatility in international energy markets, exacerbated by global conflicts affecting oil flows and increasing fuel costs.

The U.S. government stated that the extension is intended to guarantee continuous access to essential resources for the military and other strategic sectors. Official data suggests the exemption has led to a notable increase in domestic deliveries of key fuels. The Jones Act, officially the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, was enacted to bolster the U.S. merchant marine fleet, requiring domestic maritime trade to be carried on U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed vessels.