U.S. customs agency withdraws Obama-proposed changes to Jones Act

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has withdrawn an Obama-era proposal to modify the Jones Act, which governs shipping, that would have revoked waivers that make it
easier for oil and gas operators to skirt restrictions, according to an agency bulletin published Wednesday.

For nearly 40 years the CBP has provided exemptions to the Jones Act, which mandates the use of U.S.-flagged vessels to transport merchandise between U.S. coasts. The exemptions have allowed oil and gas operators to use often cheaper, tax-free, or more readily available foreign flagged vessels.

REUTERS

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