# US extends Jones Act waiver for another 90 days

- **Source:** https://pelavox.com/us-extends-jones-act-waiver-for-another-90-days/
- **Publisher:** pelavox. (The voice of shipping)
- **Author:** Helena Pierce
- **Published:** 2026-11-15T00:00:00+00:00
- **Updated:** 2026-11-15T00:00:00+00:00
- **Section:** Markets
- **Type:** News
- **Topics:** Domestic Shipping, Energy Markets, Foreign-Flagged Vessels, Jones Act, Maritime Regulations, Oil Transportation, Petroleum Trade, Shipping Policy, Tanker Shipping, United States, US Maritime Industry, US Shipping

The United States has extended temporary exemptions from the Jones Act for another 90 days, allowing eligible foreign-flagged vessels to transport oil and other commodities between American ports under a case-by-case approval process.

The decision, announced on 13 November 2026, was confirmed by a White House official to Reuters. It extends an arrangement introduced earlier this year to address domestic shipping constraints and fuel price pressures linked to the conflict involving Iran.

The latest extension maintains the approval requirements introduced in August, meaning foreign-flagged vessels must receive authorisation for individual movements rather than operating under a general exemption.

## Temporary exemptions continue for domestic cargo movements

The Jones Act, enacted in 1920, generally requires cargo transported between US ports to be carried aboard vessels built in the United States, owned by qualifying US interests and operated under American flag and crewing requirements.

The legislation is a central part of the country’s domestic maritime transport framework, restricting the participation of foreign-built and foreign-flagged vessels in coastwise trade.

In March 2026, the US administration introduced a broad waiver to increase available shipping capacity amid rising energy prices and disruptions associated with the conflict involving Iran.

The measure was subsequently extended in August, when the administration shifted from a broad exemption to a system requiring individual authorisation for eligible voyages. That approach remains in place under the latest 90-day extension.

The temporary flexibility is intended to help facilitate movements of petroleum and other commodities between US ports, particularly when domestic shipping capacity is constrained.

## White House reports additional petroleum movements

According to figures provided by the White House and reported by Reuters, an additional 90 million barrels of petroleum products have been transported between US ports since the waiver was introduced in March.

The reported total includes approximately 27 million barrels of gasoline, 26 million barrels of crude oil and 6 million barrels of renewable fuels. The remaining volumes were not fully broken down in the reported figures.

The administration has presented the waiver as a measure to improve domestic transportation flexibility and help contain price pressures affecting gasoline, diesel and other commodities.

The policy does not remove the underlying requirements of the Jones Act, which continue to apply to domestic maritime movements unless a specific exemption is granted.

The extended waiver also comes amid longstanding debate over the role of the legislation in supporting the US maritime industry and the costs associated with transporting goods between American ports.

The domestic shipbuilding sector has historically supported the law, which reserves domestic cargo movements for qualifying US vessels.

The latest decision maintains a temporary alternative for eligible cargo movements while preserving the case-by-case approval system. Its practical effect over the coming months will depend on the number of exemptions granted and the extent to which operators use foreign-flagged vessels for domestic shipments.

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Cite as: "US extends Jones Act waiver for another 90 days", pelavox., 15 November 2026, https://pelavox.com/us-extends-jones-act-waiver-for-another-90-days/