Trump extends waiver for foreign ships carrying energy, fertilizer to U.S. ports

President Donald Trump has extended a critical waiver for 90 days, permitting foreign-flagged vessels to transport goods, including oil, fertilizers, and other fossil fuel products, between U.S. ports. This move addresses potential supply chain pressures exacerbated by ongoing global conflicts.

The initial exemption from the Jones Act, which typically mandates U.S.-flagged ships for domestic cargo transport, was first granted on March 17. Its purpose was to ease oil and refined fuel transportation costs following the outbreak of war with Iran. The latest extension, effective August 17, signals anticipation of continued price pressures, particularly as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for oil and natural gas, remains largely inaccessible due to the conflict.

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to ensure that our armed forces and key industries maintain uninterrupted access to critical resources.

Notably, the Pentagon will now consult with the Maritime Administration to determine which voyages qualify for exemption from the 1920 law. This iteration of the waiver is specifically limited to energy sources and agricultural commodities such as fertilizers and soybeans.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated that the administration extended the exemption "to ensure that our armed forces and key industries maintain uninterrupted access to critical resources." Rogers further noted that the waiver has already boosted domestic deliveries of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The Jones Act requires that goods transported between U.S. ports travel on U.S.-flagged vessels, a rule now being temporarily relaxed for specific essential cargo.

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The extension has increased domestic deliveries of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.