Temporary Jones Act Waiver and Its Implications for Energy and Supply Chains

Analysis published by Holland & Knight on the temporary Jones Act waiver issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in March 2026 in response to constraints affecting energy markets and supply chains resulting from the conflict between the United States and Iran. The document notes that the conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz affected the international maritime transport of oil and natural gas, contributing to increases in fuel prices and disruptions in fertilizer supplies. The analysis examines the scope of the waiver temporarily authorizing foreign-flag vessels to transport certain commodities between U.S. ports, as well as the regulatory procedures established by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the implications for maritime transport, logistics, and supply chains.