“The Department of Homeland Security’s waiver of the Jones Act allows foreign-flagged vessels to begin shipping petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel, from the Gulf of Mexico to Northeastern ports effective immediately. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, better known as the Jones Act, was created to support jobs in the maritime industry. It requires goods moved between U.S. ports to be carried by ships built domestically and staffed by U.S. crews.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/02/us-storm-sandy-oil-waivers-new-idUSBRE8A11C620121102