Temp waiver of Jones Act

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has waived Jones Act requirements until Sept. 15 to address the potential for a fuel shortage in Florida caused by Hurricane Irma and lingering Gulf Coast pipeline and refinery disruptions following Hurricane Harvey. The Jones Act requires vessels transporting goods between U.S. ports to be U.S.-flagged, U.S.-built and majority U.S.-owned. On Sept. 8, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke signed a waiver which will allow gasoline and other refined products to move between U.S. ports on foreign-flagged vessels over the next seven days. The waiver is needed to "facilitate" shipments of refined petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, from ports in New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Officials may extend the waiver beyond seven days if deem necessary, according to administration officials. (Source: Platts 09/08/17) The Coast Guard has closed Tampa, St. Petersburg and Manatee, Fla., ports, Sept. 9; and set Hurricane Condition ZULU (sustained gale force winds within 12 hours). The ports are closed to all inbound and outbound traffic. No vessel may enter, depart or transit within this safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port.