President Trump has paused the U.S. legal blockade that forces domestic cargo to use American‑built, crewed, and owned vessels. The move, announced after escalating tensions with Iran, lifts the 1920 Jones Act for a limited period, allowing foreign‑flagged ships to run between U.S. ports for the energy sector and shipping.

Maritime Administration data shows about two dozen waiver voyages have finished by April 30. A Singapore‑flagged vessel moved 322,000 barrels of gasoline blend from Texas to California. A Maltese tanker delivered 300,000 barrels of Bakken crude to Pennsylvania, while Singapore ship carried 300,000 barrels of gasoline from Louisiana to Florida.

The temporary waiver eases supply constraints that the Jones Act has long imposed on the energy market, cutting transportation costs and boosting fuel availability amid the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Industry observers note that the decision could signal a broader shift toward deregulating maritime trade for U.S. companies and investors.