Jones Act of 1917

The Jones Act of 1917 is a U.S. law that requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on ships that are built, owned, and operated by Americans. Its main goal is to support national security and promote a strong U.S. maritime industry. This law also provides workers with certain protections and influences maritime trade, steering it toward domestic vessels rather than foreign ships. While it helps maintain a capable maritime workforce, it has also been criticized for raising shipping costs and limiting competition.