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Applicability of the Cargo Preference Act to the Transportation of Alaskan Oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Date of Issuance:
Headnotes

Shipments of Alaskan oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, made on commercial United States-flag ships as required by the Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 883, may be counted by the Department of Energy towards the 50% United States-flag cargo preference share required by the Cargo Preference Act, 46 U.S.C. § 1241(b).

The Cargo Preference Act, 46 U.S.C. § 1241(b), applies to both foreign and domestic cargoes procured by the United States, and is not limited to commerce in which United States-flag vessels face foreign competition. In addition, the Act is an “otherwise applicable Federal procurement statute” that may be waived by the Secretary of Energy under § 804(b) of the Energy Security Act, 10 U.S.C. § 7340(k).

Updated July 9, 2014