The Jones Act: Critical to Economic and National Security

Jennifer Carpenter, President and CEO of the American Waterways Operators (AWO) talks about the nation’s tug and barge industry and why the Jones Act is critical to America’s political strength, economic power, and national security. The Jones Act ensures a strong and vibrant maritime industry, which helps the United States maintains its expertise in shipbuilding and waterborne transportation.

Washington State is home to 22,500 maritime jobs supported by the Jones Act, and the Jones Act fleet supports nearly 650,000 family-wage jobs nationwide. The Jones Act fleet contributes over $154 billion in economic output nationally and $6.1 billion to Washington’s economy. The tugboat, towboat and barge industry is critically important to the nation’s economy. With more than 5,000 tugboats and towboats and more than 33,000 barges, the industry moves nearly 665 million tons of domestic cargo each year.