Energy prices rise despite Jones Act suspension by Trump

Shipping costs have increased by more than 10 percent in the past month due to the US-Israel war on Iran.Shipping and oil costs have continued to surge a month after United States President Donald Trump issued a waiver for the Jones Act, a maritime law that bars foreign-flagged vessels from transporting goods between US ports.The 60-day waiver came into effect on March 18, as the movement of energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply, was choked off on account of the US-Israel war on Iran.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Oil prices surge past $103 a barrel after US announces blockade of Iranlist 2 of 4Why oil prices aren’t what you think – and what it means for global supplylist 3 of 4US blockade of Iran would worsen global energy crisis, analysts saylist 4 of 4What do we know about sea mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz?end of listUnder the Jones Act, goods shipped between US ports must be carried on vessels that are US-built, US-flagged and mostly US-owned, limiting the number of tankers available for domestic shipments.The Trump administration argued that the temporary waiver of the law would lower energy costs. As the waiver approaches the 30-day mark, it has had little impact on oil prices.“It is estimated that it’s going to be about 3 cents on the East Coast and it might go up on the Gulf Coast, but these changes are so small that they’re overshadowed by the spikes in oil prices, and the oil prices keep going up,” Usha Haley, a professor of management at the Wichita State University, told Al Jazeera.“It is minuscule, a drop in the bucket compared to the rise in oil prices.”Oil prices have continued to rise amid the ongoing conflict, which is disrupting transit through the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude futures rose 4 percent on the day amid a US blockade of Iranian ports, reaching $98.91 after hitting $101.03 earlier in the day. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $2.53, or 2.6 percent, to $99.10.