WASHINGTON, DC – A 90-day extension of the Jones Act waiver will continue allowing foreign-flagged vessels to move fertilizer between U.S. ports through mid-November, giving suppliers additional transportation flexibility during the fall application season. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service says fertilizer has already moved under the exemption.
Nearly 150,000 metric tons of anhydrous ammonia have been transported under the waiver, along with liquid urea fertilizer and monoammonium phosphate. In all, 217 qualifying voyages had used the exemption through August 12.
Most U.S. ammonia is transported by pipeline rather than by vessel. The Fertilizer Institute estimates roughly 60% travels through one major pipeline serving the Corn Belt, with important origins including Louisiana production and import facilities and connections extending into Midwestern destinations.
USDA recently added ammonia pipeline tariffs covering five origins and 25 destinations to its AgTransport platform, providing greater visibility into those transportation costs.
The waiver will now become more restrictive, with future voyages considered on a case-by-case basis, in part based on whether a Jones Act-qualified vessel is available.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Extending the waiver preserves another fertilizer transportation option as suppliers position ammonia and other nutrients for fall demand.