A new report from Seafarers’ Rights International—The Cabotage Laws of the World (2025)—reveals that 105 countries now have cabotage laws protecting their maritime industries and national security. In this HSToday interview, Executive Editor Kristina Tanasichuk speaks with Deirdre Fitzpatrick (SRI), David Heindel (Seafarers International Union), and Jennifer Carpenter (American Maritime Partnership) about how the Jones Act and similar laws worldwide are strengthening sovereignty, supply chain resilience, and defense readiness.

These laws are increasingly viewed globally as essential to strengthen national security, ensure supply chain resilience, and enhance defense readiness at sea.