Posted on June 29, 2026
“American Mariners Need Not Apply.”
That’s the message being sent when a Chinese-built, Chinese-owned, Chinese-flagged, and Chinese-crewed vessel is operating in the U.S. domestic trade under a Jones Act waiver while qualified American merchant mariners are looking for work.
This image is representative of what is happening at the Port of New Haven, Connecticut.
It captures a supposed national defense waiver becoming a pathway for foreign vessels to perform work that would otherwise be reserved for the U.S. domestic fleet.
And let’s be clear: this cargo (asphalt) is not moving in the interest of national defense.
America has the mariners. America has the shipowners. America has the vessels. We should be strengthening rather than sidelining our maritime workforce.
End the Jones Act waiver. Put American mariners back to work. 🇺🇸
