The Jones Act and U.S. Shipping: The Essentials

In this episode of Alongside, the podcast from NorthStandard for the shipping industry, host Kait Borsay explores the Jones Act, a fundamental U.S. law regulating maritime commerce.

With guests Emma Jones, Senior Associate at Blank Rome LLP, and Gina Venezia, President and Head of Commercial Americas for NorthStandard, the discussion delves into the cabotage laws enforced by the Act and its personal injury provisions unique to the U.S. maritime context. They examine the Act's historical roots, modern impacts on the shipping industry, including offshore activities, enforcement mechanisms by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the stringent penalties for violations. The episode provides valuable insights into how the Jones Act affects merchandise transportation, injury remedies for seamen, and the evolving challenges within maritime law.

Timestamps

00:13 - Understanding the Jones Act

00:42 - Key Issues and Implications

02:19 - Detailed Discussion on Cabotage

02:59 - Offshore Activities and the Jones Act

05:47 - Waivers and Exceptions 07:21 - Enforcement and Penalties

09:19 - Challenges for Shipping Companies

13:22 - Offshore Activities and Foreign Vessels

17:28 - Jones Act and Injury Remedies

21:50 - General Maritime Law and Additional Remedies

This episode of Alongside is an edited version of a longer conversation featuring Emma Jones and Gina Venezia.

Meet our speakers

Emma Jones, Associate at Blank Rome LLP

Emma Jones is a senior associate attorney in the maritime group at Blank Rome LLP, a U.S. law firm with an extensive international maritime practice. Emma is based in Washington, D.C., and is a member of Blank Rome’s Maritime Emergency Response Team (“MERT”). Emma represents clients in a wide variety of both domestic and international maritime, commercial, insurance, and regulatory matters, including regulatory compliance counseling, Jones Act and coastwise trade matters, arbitrations and alternative dispute resolution, and maritime casualties. Emma holds a law degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law in Chicago.

Gina Venezia, President & Head of Commercial, Americas at NorthStandard

Gina Venezia is the President & Head of Commercial-Americas in the New York office. Prior to joining the club in 2021, Gina was a partner at a leading maritime law firm in New York. Her practice spanned over 20 years in which she handled a wide array of maritime claims and advised clients on U.S. sanctions and regulatory issues including the Jones Act. In her present role, she heads the New York office and collaborates with the club’s underwriting teams to give the club’s development strategy for the Americas. She also assists NorthStandard members on a variety of claims and has input into claims litigated by and against members throughout the Americas. Gina is a frequent speaker at industry events and has been recognized as a leader in her field by several publications including Chambers USA.