President Donald Trump has approved a 90-day extension of a Jones Act waiver permitting foreign-flagged vessels to transport specified cargoes between US ports, amid continued disruption to global oil flows and pressure on domestic fuel supplies.
The extension will take effect on August 17 and remain in place until mid-November. It follows an initial waiver issued on March 17 and another extension granted in May.
The latest measure is more limited than the previous exemptions. It applies only to vessels carrying designated energy products and agriculture-related commodities, including fertilizers and soybean oil. Individual voyages will also be assessed on a case-by-case basis rather than receiving automatic approval under the waiver.
The White House said the extension is intended to maintain uninterrupted access to critical resources for the US military and key industries. The administration also said data showed that the waiver had contributed to a significant increase in domestic deliveries of essential products.
Among the cargoes highlighted by the White House were gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. By allowing eligible foreign-flagged vessels to undertake certain domestic movements, the administration aims to support deliveries of these fuels during a period of heightened supply uncertainty.
The decision comes as the war with Iran continues to affect international crude oil flows. Uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed, has contributed to higher oil prices and placed additional pressure on US fuel markets.
The waiver extension therefore maintains temporary access to additional vessel capacity for selected domestic cargo movements, while narrowing the scope of eligible shipments. Its case-by-case review process means approvals will depend on the circumstances of each proposed voyage.
Unless it is amended or extended again, the latest waiver will expire in mid-November. Until then, it will cover only the specified energy and agricultural commodities identified by the administration.
US Extends Limited Jones Act Waiver Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruption
President Donald Trump has extended a Jones Act waiver for 90 days, allowing foreign-flagged vessels to move specified energy and agricultural cargoes between US ports as disruption to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz pressures fuel supplies.
