Clean Shipping Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill would add new requirements to the Clean Air Act for large commercial ships. It creates a Marine Greenhouse Gas Fuel Standard that sets stepwise targets to cut the carbon intensity of fuel used on covered voyages compared to a 2027 baseline. The targets in the bill are: at least 30% below the 2027 baseline for 2030–2034; at least 58% below for 2034–2039; at least 83% below for 2040–2044; at least 92% below for 2045–2049; and 100% below for 2050 and later. The bill defines covered voyages (between ports under U.S. jurisdiction or between a U.S. port and a foreign port) and applies to vessels of 400 gross tonnage or more.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would write regulations to implement these standards and must finalize the first set of standards by January 1, 2029. The EPA can adjust targets if it finds they are not technologically or economically feasible and may adopt comparable international standards if they are equal or stricter. Owners or operators of vessels may be allowed to average fuels across commonly owned vessels, get credit for overcompliance, and vessels with 30 or fewer covered-voyage days in a year are exempt.

The bill also requires annual monitoring and reporting. Vessel owners or operators must report the carbon intensity of fuel used and the fuel amounts for each covered voyage, plus total greenhouse gas emissions in carbon dioxide-equivalent. The EPA, together with the Department of Transportation and the Coast Guard, must publish an annual public report compiling that data.

Additionally, the bill adds an in-port zero-emission requirement. By January 1, 2029 the EPA must promulgate standards to eliminate, by January 1, 2035, greenhouse gases and criteria air pollutant emissions from vessels at berth or at anchorage in the U.S. contiguous zone. The EPA may set the maximum feasible reduction if full elimination is not technologically or economically feasible.

What it means for you#

• Vessel owners and operators on covered voyages must meet carbon-intensity standards for fuel and report annual fuel and emissions data to the EPA.
• Vessels that call in U.S. ports or travel between U.S. and foreign ports and are 400 gross tons or larger are covered, unless they make covered voyages for 30 days or fewer in a year.
• The EPA will publish an annual public report with vessel-level or aggregated data and explanations of emissions and fuel carbon intensity.
• Ships at berth or anchorage in the contiguous zone will face standards to eliminate or greatly reduce greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions from in-port operations by 2035, subject to feasibility review.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on federal costs or funding. The bill text does not include specific funding, appropriations, or cost estimates. It does create reporting and compliance obligations for vessel owners and operators, but it does not specify financial assistance or grants.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.