The Jones Act, which requires that goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried on U.S. flag ships with U.S. crews, has come under fire during the BP oil disaster. Some congressional members say it has prevented the use of foreign-based skimmers and other materials that could help fight the oil spill.
While the Obama administration has denied the allegation, saying that the BP rig is 3 miles off shore and therefore not subject to the Jones Act, some U.S. shippers are worried that congressional members will use the spill as an excuse to repeal the 1920 law.
"We know for sure this (the spill response) isn't a Jones Act issue, but you wouldn't know this from all the rhetoric," said Michael Roberts, vice president and general counsel for Crowley Shipping. Roberts was in Washington last week to talk about the benefits of the Jones Act. The supporters were armed with a study they say shows the act is directly responsible for 61,956 jobs in Louisiana. Critics say the Jones Act significantly increases the cost to ship goods.