Trump says U.S. has struck deal with Venezuela to take control of 65 billion barrels of oil reserves
So if Trump gives a shit at all about America’s Maritime strength and industrial base how about reserving 50% of this Venezuelan crude imports to the US to be on ships flying the US flag? Don’t need to be US built to start but ultimately they should be built here as well.
This would create more new American maritime jobs than any of us have ever experienced in our professional lifetimes.
Which ships though? The US fleet only has 11 crude carriers; 4 ATC, 5 Polar. 2 Fairwater. All under charter already. Possible flag-in situation?
Who pay the additional cost?
If subsidised it will be the US taxpayers.
If not it will be US consumers, in the form of higer price at the pump.
How about applying the time honoured American principles;
It definitely should be a US flagged operation, but I’m just concerned there aren’t adequate number of ships. hopefully they will figure something out that can actually boost the American fleet a little bit.
sorry ombugge, the American working class people have been raped long enough by greedy politicians, private equity firms, and shady deals by American corporate oligarchs hiding behind those “principles” you described. God forbid we have some protectionism in place for our jobs.
Buy foreign built and reflag…US built is not required
Higher prices at the pump! What are we paying now? Using a US citizen crew would maybe add a nickel or two per barrel in transporting the crude.
I wish to FUCK you would stay out of this
US-flagged is not required either. Venezuela - USA v.v. is international trade, not under cabotage laws.
Present high pump price are NOT caused by foreign ships. You have to find something/somebody else to blame for that. 
Sorry, just trying to add some thoughts into this.
The idea of 50/50 shear of freight for imports/exports will never work.
Cross-traders have always been part of normal shipping and is enshrined in international agreements.
PS: USA has been the instigator behind many agreements, rules and regulations governing international trade these past 80 years.
Thankfully, until Venezuela becomes the 51st (52nd? 53rd?) state, the Jones Act won’t apply. Nothing keeps them from using entirely foreign ships, of course, but it really would be nice if we could get some modern VLCCs flagged in for some portion of the trade. Maybe @john will catch the President’s ear and make it happen?
Not that I’d want to crew one up, myself - I’ve hauled sour-ass Canadian tar sand crude which is comparable to the Orinoco crap being bragged about here, and I’m in no hurry to ever do so again.
Polar Tankers also has 5 crude tankers and Crowley at least 3.
