The American Maritime Partnership (AMP) has urged President Donald Trump to maintain the Jones Act waiver expiry date of 15 November 2026, arguing that another extension would prolong uncertainty over investment in U.S. vessels and shipyards.
Investment concerns featured in AMP’s 3 November letter, signed by its president, Jennifer Carpenter. Citing reports from industry participants, the association put postponed spending on vessel construction and yard expansion at more than $2.6 billion. It also cited over $700 million in deferred investment in Jones Act dredging vessels.
AMP linked those delays to uncertainty surrounding the exemption. The association said lenders and vessel owners need confidence in long-term domestic cargo demand before committing funds.
The letter also disputed the waiver’s benefits for consumers. AMP cited published analyses estimating that gasoline savings would amount to less than half a cent per gallon at most. The investment figures and assessment of fuel-price benefits represent AMP’s claims.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance requires covered cargo to be loaded before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 15 November 2026. This is a loading cutoff, not a deadline for completing the voyage. The guidance extended the March waiver for another 90 days from 17 August.
The August procedure requires a vessel availability request ahead of each proposed movement. The Maritime Administration checks whether eligible U.S. ships can carry the cargo, after which the Department of War determines whether the requested foreign-flag voyage is authorised. AMP said these changes reduced reported foreign-ship activity while essential cargo kept moving.
AMP additionally attributed more than 28% of reported waiver voyages to ships or businesses with direct ties to China, identifying COSCO among its concerns.
The association argued that ending the waiver would still allow individual emergencies to be addressed. It cited 46 U.S.C. 501(b) as an existing mechanism for cases where available U.S. vessels cannot meet national security requirements.
