What Are U.S. Coastwise Laws?

U.S. Coastwise Laws

Also known as maritime cabotage laws, U.S. coastwise laws reserve U.S. domestic maritime trade to qualified U.S. registered (referred to as “U.S.-flag” vessels). These laws are also commonly referred to as the Jones Act. One of these coastwise laws, the Passenger Vessel Services Act, reserves the transportation of passengers between U.S. ports, or points, to qualified U.S.-flag vessels.

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