[Timber Rattler]

I guess you didn't get the memo that foreign-owned cargo and passenger ships already oeprate in American waters.

You ever hear about "flags of convenience?"

[Maine Mariner]

Yes they do, but those ships cannot load cargo in a US port
and take it to another US port for discharge. The Jones Act
deals with the loading and unloading of cargo that originates and is unloaded between US ports.

A foreign flag ship cannot load a container in NYC and unload that same in Portland, ME for example.