Jones Act applicability to offshore wind vessel construction remains case-specific, constraining domestic capacity

CBP's ad-hoc interpretation of the Jones Act has created uncertainty for offshore wind developers, with some vessel types (WTIVs, fallpipe vessels) exempt from domestic-build requirements if they remain stationary, while others (SOVs, CTVs) must be U.S.-built. DOE estimates the U.S. lacks sufficient domestic shipbuilding capacity to deliver the 4-6 WTIVs and 11 SOVs needed for 2030 wind goals without statutory...