The Washington Post published an editorial stating that the temporary exemption to the Jones Act’s cabotage rules for maritime transportation of energy products, approved by the Trump administration, highlights the 'absurdity' of the 1920 law. The exemption, which began in March and was renewed in May, has allowed Puerto Rico to purchase more than double the amount of US propane in the last four months than in the previous 22 years combined.
The Jones Act requires ships transporting goods between US ports and territories to be US-registered, owned, flagged, and crewed. Despite the US being the world’s largest propane producer, the law’s rules regularly prevent Puerto Rico from accessing this market. The Washington Post’s Editorial Board noted that there are no transoceanic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers that meet the law’s requirements, making it difficult for Puerto Rico to transport large quantities of propane economically.
The temporary exemption has been opposed by the American Partnership Society, which has run TV ads in the US capital region. According to data provided by the newspaper, US propane imports to Puerto Rico increased to 6% in May, whereas nearly 100% previously came from other countries.