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US Extends Jones Act Waiver 90 Days to Support Energy Deliveries

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The Trump administration extended the Jones Act waiver for 90 days to protect critical resource supplies and support US military and economic needs, the White House said Monday.

In an email reply to, a White House spokesperson said the new waiver will take effect Aug. 17, addressing US maritime industry concerns while helping prevent supply shortages that could disrupt military operations and the economy.

The waiver makes two key changes. First, the Department of War must consult with the Maritime Administration (MARAD) on the availability of Jones Act vessels before each individual shipping voyage and then determine whether the waiver applies to that voyage.

The waiver also narrows the range of commodities and energy resources eligible for relief, limiting shipments to specified products, the White House said.

The White House also shared data showing that more than 230 tankers have sought the waiver to move US cargoes between US ports, creating more than 86 million barrels of additional capacity for oil and energy products.

According to the White House, MARAD data shows 210 Jones Act waivers have been utilized, while the relief has enabled up to a 50% increase in domestic deliveries of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

California received 51 cargoes, the most among US destinations, reflecting its limited pipeline connectivity and reliance on marine deliveries to balance regional supply, the White House said.

Movements on Jones Act-qualified vessels remained relatively steady during the waiver period, indicating that the relief supplemented rather than displaced existing US-flag capacity during periods of elevated demand.

Waived vessels have delivered more than 14 million barrels of crude oil and more than 20 million barrels of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and blending components to US markets, the White House added.

The covered commodities under the revised waiver include fuel blend stocks, diesel fuel, gasoline, jet fuel, crude oil, fuel oil, gas oil, bunker fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, bitumen and petroleum coke.

The list also includes chemicals derived from petroleum or natural gas, liquefied natural gas, naphtha, soybean oil and fertilizers.

The latest reporting covers 160 completed voyages, while 50 additional voyages have 10 days to file cargo details.

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