U.S. plans to ease shipping rule in hopes of taming rising fuel prices

The Trump administration plans to waive a century-old maritime law that requires American ships be used to transport goods between U.S. ports as it seeks to blunt surging oil and gasoline prices, according to people familiar with the matter.

- By JENNIFER A. DLOUHY AND ARI NATTER

THE 30-day exemption of the Jones Act would enable generally cheaper foreign tankers to transport goods.

(SETH WENIG Associated Press)

The 30-day exemption, which is still being developed, is set to apply broadly to vessels moving oil, gasoline, diesel, liquefied natural gas and fertilizer among U.S. ports, the people said. That would enable generally cheaper foreign tankers to move those goods — including Gulf Coast oil to refineries on the U.S. East Coast and fuel from the region to more populous areas.

“In the interest of national defense, the White House is considering waiving the Jones Act for a limited period of time to ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to U.S. ports,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “This action has not been finalized.”