Posted on October 31, 2024
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the resilience of Florida’s fuel supply chain was put to the test. When the storm hit the Gulf Coast on October 9, there were concerns that fuel shortages could hit quickly throughout the state. But as we’ve seen time and again, the American maritime industry was ready to respond, delivering on the promise of a reliable, resilient, and U.S.-operated fuel supply chain, thanks in large part to the Jones Act.
The Jones Act is fundamental to maintaining a fleet of American-built, -crewed and -owned vessels. The Florida Maritime Partnership estimates there are over 70 of these vessels operating on the Gulf Coast. In Florida, the law creates 66,000 jobs and over $14.6 billion in economic impact.
Over 90% of all fuel into Florida has to come from the sea, most of which is refined on America’s Gulf Coast.
Even before the storm hit, the maritime supply chain worked to prepare the state to weather the storm. During an October 8 press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis informed local media that, “Fuel continues to arrive in the state of Florida by port and what we’re doing to bring it in on the ground.”
By the time Hurricane Milton made landfall, tankers and articulated tug barges were in prepositioned formations to be ready to deliver to ports once they reopened or to navigate to new ports if needed. Companies like Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), Crowley Maritime and Kirby Corporation mobilized dozens, delivering much-needed fuel within the first days after the storm.
Port Tampa Bay—a crucial port that handles over 40% of Florida’s inbound petroleum—was one of the primary ports to deliver this fuel to.
The U.S. Coast Guard acted swiftly, allowing controlled, traffic to bring fuel shipments to the state on Saturday, October 12. In particular, OSG’s tanker fleet was among the first to descend on the port, bringing millions of gallons of diesel and gasoline.
The crew of Crowley’s Liberty wave to pilots in Louisiana as the ATB prepares to sail to Florida.
On the other side of sides of state, Crowley’s large fleet of articulated tug barges delivered to JAXPORT and Port Everglades, which were both largely out of the path of the storm.
As these deliveries came in, Florida organized local law enforcement to help move fuel from the terminals to people in need. This helped ensure the troubles in inland transportation Americans saw in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria was not repeated.
Some critics, as they often do, called for waiving the Jones Act in the aftermath of the storm, even before Milton hit, arguing that foreign-flagged vessels could somehow speed up relief efforts. But such calls missed the mark entirely. The U.S. fleet, composed of experienced mariners and well-maintained vessels, was immediately and efficiently capable of delivering fuel.
In a statement to Fox Business after the storm hit, American Maritime Partnership President Jennifer Carpenter said, “While critics of the Jones Act routinely and unfortunately seek to leverage situations where Americans are suffering to advance a policy position, the Jones Act is not an impediment here and is in fact maintaining a strong fuel supply chain in the Gulf.”
OSG Endurance sails around the port of Tampa Bay in 2023.
Sam Norton, CEO of OSG, also quickly denounced the idea.
“While there are a number of factors contributing to a lack of available fuel – closed ports, insufficient delivery trucks, lack of power to operate pumps in filling stations, to name just some of those – capacity to deliver fuel by sea is not a problem at all,” he wrote.
When ports officially re-opened, the state was also able to tap into massive stores in Tampa Bay of fuel previously delivered and ready to distribute.
Mayor Jane Castor said the fuel terminals at Port Tampa Bay were surrounded by rainwater, which hampered the supply chain. She told media on Friday, October 11 “We have plenty [of fuel] out at the port. It’s getting from the port to the gas stations because of the flooding around those storage tanks at the port.” By the end of the day, those terminals were able to support deliveries.
What got fuel flowing again wasn’t foreign vessels bringing in imports from abroad, but the tireless work of Florida’s emergency response teams, supported by the men and women of the American maritime industry.
The Jones Act fleet did exactly what it was meant to do: secure Florida’s supply chains, ensure the quick delivery of fuel, and support the state’s recovery. Without these loyal and reliable U.S. vessels, Florida could have faced far worse fuel shortages.
Captain George McShea, President of Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America, commended Jones Act mariners and tanker companies for their efforts.
“Our U.S. seafarers and our U.S.-flag companies have always answered the call in times of national emergencies and the recent devastating storms impacting the southern US are no exception,” McShea said. “Time and time again U.S. seafarers deliver the needed and vital aid and energy resources in both national emergencies and in wartime.”
The American crews who run these ships know our coastlines, understand the urgency of the situation and are dedicated to the safety and security of our state.
Hurricane Milton was a stark reminder of just how critical the Jones Act fleet is to America’s resilience to natural disasters. The American crews who run these ships know our coastlines, understand the urgency of the situation and are dedicated to the safety and security of our nation.
