‘Some of the cargo imported from the United States is temperature-controlled perishable goods, such as dairy, meat and agricultural products,’ the GAO said in the report. ‘According to representatives of the Puerto Rico Farm Bureau, the cost and reliability of shipping perishable food items is important because the island has less than a week’s supply of perishables at any given time.’
Puerto Rico has less than one week’s supply of fresh foods stored on the island at any given time, making reliable food deliveries one of the key advantages of the Jones Act, according to a study by the General Accountability Office.
Asked to study the effect the cabotage law has on Puerto Rico’s economy following the conviction of Jones Act carrier executives for price-fixing in the market several years ago, the GAO said its findings were inconclusive. Repealing or amending the Jones Act cabotage law might cut Puerto Rico shipping costs but would have a “highly uncertain” impact on competition and the U.S. shipping industry.