What Does the Rhine Have That the
Mississippi Doesn't? Passengers
Jones Act and Puerto Rico’s economic woes
“Another federal
policy that has disproportionately harmed Puerto Rico is the Jones Act, which requires,
in part, that all shipping between U.S. ports be performed by a specific, and
tiny, fleet of U.S.-flagged ships. The Government Accountability Office
reported in 2013 that just 17 vessels belonging to four companies connect
Puerto Rico’s 3.5 million inhabitants to the mainland U.S. All but four of
those vessels were more than 31 years old. With government prohibiting
free-market competition among shippers, these four firms can charge higher
prices for freight to and from the island. The result: higher consumer prices
for islanders. The shipping restriction also puts Puerto Rican products at a
cost disadvantage in mainland markets.”