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.