DHS moves to allow oil tankers in Northeast to ease fuel shortage The Department of Homeland Security is temporarily waiving some maritime rules to allow foreign oil tankers coming from the Gulf of Mexico to enter Northeastern ports. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says she is waiving the Jones Act, which prohibits international cargo ships from transporting oil between U.S. ports , until Nov. 13. The rule is being temporarily waived to help ease the fuel shortage in the Northeast in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.