The real value is if they have space and equipment to sort. That is unload the containers from one ship and put them on 10 different ships to different ports. With the jones act ships cannot go US port to US port, so small ports are bypassed when if they were used they could improve operations.
bonus if they can connect to rail heading to the middle of the us (think El Paso to Denever)
> bonus if they can connect to rail heading to the middle of the us
I think this might be where their big advantage would be. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are at capacity (and considered inefficient), and the Mexican container port of Manzanillo further down the coast is only medium-sized (1.4 million TEUs). If Mexico were to build dedicated freight corridors like India has, they could move an amazing amount of cargo into the central US.
The Jones Act is one of those truly infuriating acts of protectionism that absolutely hurts everyone except a small and dwindling number protected producers and doesn't accomplish its stated purpose. It's sad that this sort of policy is once again in vogue.
It's not really about the unions in this case, it's just the few owners of some decaying old ship yards. There are only maybe 90 Jones Act ships in existence (you'll see different numbers). These are the sum total output of ~150 US shipyards. Its time to rip of the bandage, not only does this arrangement produce almost no ship it hobbles the domestic shipping industry, small ports, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and anyone who wants to move goods or people by water between US ports.
bonus if they can connect to rail heading to the middle of the us (think El Paso to Denever)