The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has decided to revoke a number of previous letter rulings related to the enforcement of the Jones Act that could result in loopholes with major implications for the U.S. offshore industry. As gCaptain reported previously, the CBP in October issued a bulletin in which it proposed broadening the definition of "vessel equipment" and … [Read more...]
Proposed Customs and Border Protection Modifications Will Weaken the Jones Act
By Meghan Lapp - The Jones Act, or Merchant Marine Act of 1920, has been the foundation of U.S. maritime commerce for 100 years, requiring coastwise trade, i.e. transport of merchandise between two U.S. points, to be conducted on U.S.-flagged, U.S.-owned, U.S.-built vessels, which must be crewed by a minimum of 75% U.S. citizens and/or permanent U.S. residents. It is … [Read more...]
Philly Shipyard Begins Work on First Government Contract
U.S. shipbuilder Philly Shipyard has started work on its first government contract, kicking off short-term repair work on the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration vessel SS Antares. The The SS Antares is an Algol-class vehicle cargo ship owned by MARAD and managed by TOTE Services, LLC. The ship is in the yard to undergo routine repair and maintenance … [Read more...]
Shipbuilding and Repair Work Dries Up at Philly Shipyard
All shipbuilding and repair work has completely dried up at Philly Shipyard following the delivery of the second of two container ships for Matson back in March as the shipbuilder eagerly tries to secure more orders from commercial and government customers. Philly Shipyard, the leading Jones Act shipbuilder on the U.S. east coast, reported this week that its operating … [Read more...]
Business of Shipping: Smooth Sailing Ahead for Jones Act Operators
By Ira Breskin (Business of Shipping) - It should be smooth sailing for the foreseeable future for operators of large Jones Act vessels, speakers said last week at the 32nd annual Marine Money Conference in New York. The placid market forecast assumes that the supply-demand balance will remain largely intact. That’s because there is a paucity of new tonnage---either being … [Read more...]