3.2.2 The US maritime industry: US maritime businesses
incur cost disadvantages compared to foreign firms with
respect to labor and compliance with national regulations;
specifically the Jones Act. The industry, critical for
national defense during times of crises, suffers during
peace time as priorities shift to other, more politically
influential interest groups. The gradual, but persistent
decline hampers the global competitiveness of the
domestic firms when competing in the international
markets.