Trump Opens U.S. Oil Routes to Foreign Ships as Supply Shock Puts Refiners Stocks in the Spotlight

President Donald Trump has taken a new step to ease fuel costs by waiving a long-standing U.S. shipping rule. The move allows foreign ships to carry oil, gas, and fuel between U.S. ports for 60 days. The decision comes as oil prices rise due to the ongoing war with Iran and supply disruptions in key global routes.

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The rule, known as the Jones Act, requires that goods moving between U.S. ports travel on U.S.-built and U.S.-operated ships. By lifting this rule for a short time, the White House aims to lower transport costs and improve fuel flow across the country.

A White House spokesperson said the waiver is meant to “mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market” as the U.S. military continues its current mission.

Lower Costs but Limited Impact

In the near-term, the change could help reduce shipping costs for crude and fuel, mainly from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast. This may lead to a small drop in gas prices, with past estimates pointing to savings of about $0.10 per gallon in some regions.

At the same time, the move could help move more fuel to high-demand areas in the Northeast and improve supply to key sectors such as farming, where fuel and fertilizer costs matter.

However, analysts say the impact may be modest. The current supply shock is large, driven by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has blocked about 15 million barrels of oil per day. As a result, global oil prices remain high, with Brent crude (CM:BZ) reaching about $109.

Part of a Broader Energy Response

The waiver is one of several steps taken by the Trump administration to address rising energy prices. These include plans to release 172 million barrels from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and efforts to support tanker movement through key routes.

In addition, the waiver has a national security role. Officials said it will help ensure a steady fuel supply to U.S. bases and military sites, reducing the risk of shortages during active operations.

Still, the move has drawn some pushback. The Jones Act has long been supported by U.S. shipbuilders and labor groups, who argue it protects local industry and jobs. The White House has stressed that the waiver is temporary and will not harm long-term shipbuilding efforts.

Overall, the policy may offer short-term relief for fuel costs and logistics. Yet oil prices remain tied to global supply conditions, which remain uncertain as the conflict continues.

We used TipRanks’ Comparison Tool to align all the stocks tied to this shift in U.S. energy flow, including refiners, oil majors, and domestic shippers. The list highlights how companies such as Valero Energy Corporation VLO +1.64% ▲ , Marathon Petroleum Corporation MPC +1.58% ▲ , and Phillips 66 PSX +1.57% ▲ may see near term support from lower transport costs, while Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM +0.30% ▲ and Chevron Corporation CVX +0.74% ▲ remain linked to global oil trends. At the same time, shipping firms like Matson, Inc. MATX +1.01% ▲ and Kirby Corporation KEX -0.30% ▼ reflect the pressure from the temporary rule change.

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