This article originally appeared in Caribbean Business.

OK, sitting down? Ready for some news? Here it is: The Jones Act is a tremendous competitive advantage for Puerto Rico, creating a closed loop of shipping routes to and from the U.S. mainland, and offering other benefits that combined, save retailers and manufacturers more than $120 million each year on their cargo shipments.

This, according to a new landmark study by consulting firm Estudios Técnicos that was commissioned by the Puerto Rico Maritime Alliance, or Crowley Maritime Corp., Horizon Lines Inc., Sea Star Line LLC and Trailer Bridge Inc.—the island's four shipping companies—as reported exclusively by CARIBBEAN BUSINESS two weeks ago.

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