Under Attack The Jones Act, which requires that all cargo shipped between U.S. domestic ports be carried on vessels that are built, owned, crewed and registered - or flagged - in the United States, has come under attack by opponents who claim it drives up shipping costs, increases energy costs, stifles competition and hampers innovation in the U.S. shipping industry. 1. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., filed an amendment to the Keystone XL Pipeline bill in January to repeal the Jones Act. 2. Shipping industry proponents, however, argue the Jones Act helps ensure the health of the domestic maritime job market and shipbuilding industry, and is a logical mechanism for national security and protecting ports and inland waterways. 3. The domestic component of the U.S.-flag fleet is stabilizing because of recent recapitalization of ships in the Hawaii trade and new tankers being added to transport shale oil.
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