The Jones Act — the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 — is the single most important piece of legislation governing Pacific supply chains for U.S. island territories.
It mandates that all cargo transported between U.S. ports must be carried by U.S.-flagged vessels, built in the U.S., owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The result: a Long Beach to Honolulu TEU container costs $7,573, compared to $1,500–$2,000 for an equivalent international Pacific route. Cost per ton-mile: $0.28 Jones Act vs. $0.04–$0.06 international.
We Do Logistics understands the Jones Act framework at an operational level that most logistics companies do not. We structure solutions, timelines, and cost models that account for Jones Act realities — delivering the most cost-effective and compliant logistics outcomes for our government and commercial clients