Humanitarian »threat« to Jones Act

摘要

In normal times, maritime trade between U.S. ports (including Alaska and Hawaii, but also Puerto Rico) is reserved for »Jones Act qualified« vessels built in U.S. yards, owned by U.S. interests, and crewed by U.S. mariners. However, in times of unusual circumstances - such as hurricanes and other natural disasters, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is permitted to waive the Jones Act, thereby allowing non Jones Act vessels into specified trades. The legalities of waivers are highly complex, and are subject to interpretation.