(Oil & Gas 360) – The Trump administration has extended a waiver of the Jones Act for another 90 days, allowing qualifying foreign-flagged vessels to transport crude oil, refined petroleum products, and other commodities between U.S. ports as Washington seeks to ease domestic shipping constraints and elevated energy costs. The decision continues an emergency measure introduced in March after disruptions to global petroleum trade linked to the conflict involving Iran.The Jones Act, enacted in 1920, generally requires cargo transported between U.S. ports to move aboard vessels built in the United States, owned by American interests and crewed by U.S. workers. The restrictions support the domestic maritime industry but can limit shipping capacity and increase transportation costs when demand for tankers and other vessels rises.Under the latest extension, foreign-flagged ships will remain eligible to carry qualifying cargo between American ports, although individual voyages must undergo case-by-case review rather than receiving automatic exemptions. The administration introduced those additional requirements in August following concerns raised by domestic shipbuilders and maritime industry representatives.According to the White House, the waiver has enabled approximately 90 million additional barrels of petroleum to move between U.S. ports since March. That volume includes roughly 27 million barrels of gasoline, 26 million barrels of crude oil and 6 million barrels of renewable fuels, demonstrating the role expanded vessel availability has played in domestic energy transportation.The extension comes as U.S. consumers and industrial businesses continue facing higher fuel prices. AAA data showed national gasoline prices averaging approximately $3.91 per gallon Thursday, compared with $2.98 before the U.S.-Iran conflict. Diesel prices averaged approximately $6.10 per gallon, up from $3.76 before the conflict, increasing transportation, agricultural and industrial operating expenses.For refiners and petroleum distributors, the waiver provides additional flexibility to move products from major refining centers along the Gulf Coast to markets with limited local production capacity. Access to foreign-flagged vessels can help address regional transportation bottlenecks and potentially reduce shipping expenses, particularly when domestic tanker availability is constrained.However, the impact on retail fuel prices may be relatively modest. Industry analysts have suggested that expanded shipping flexibility could reduce gasoline prices by only a few cents per gallon, as crude costs, refinery margins, global supply disruptions and regional demand remain more significant pricing factors.The policy also creates competing interests within the energy and maritime sectors. Petroleum producers, refiners and fuel distributors generally benefit from additional transportation options, while domestic vessel operators and shipbuilders argue that broad exemptions could undermine investment in U.S. maritime capacity and employment.For energy investors, the extension highlights the importance of transportation economics in determining regional petroleum prices and refining profitability. Lower shipping costs could improve market access for Gulf Coast refiners and fuel suppliers, while creating additional competitive pressure for U.S.-flagged tanker operators.The longer-term question is whether repeated emergency waivers will lead to broader reconsideration of domestic shipping restrictions or remain temporary measures tied to geopolitical disruptions. For now, the administration is prioritizing transportation flexibility as it attempts to improve fuel availability without resolving the underlying challenges affecting global petroleum markets.About Oil & Gas 360 Oil & Gas 360 is an energy-focused news and market intelligence platform delivering analysis, industry developments, and capital markets coverage across the global oil and gas sector. The publication provides timely insight for executives, investors, and energy professionals. Disclaimer This informational, opinion, and insights article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice. The views expressed are based on publicly available information and market conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.