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119-s-2261119th CongressWALLET

Clean Shipping Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

Introduced

Summary

Phasing out greenhouse gas emissions from commercial vessel fuels through strict carbon intensity targets, reaching zero by 2050. The bill would create a Marine Greenhouse Gas Fuel Standard that forces stepwise cuts in the carbon intensity of fuels used on covered voyages and adds an In-Port Marine Vessel Zero Emission Standard to eliminate in-port greenhouse gases and regulated air pollutants by 2035.

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  • Vessel owners and operators would need to measure and report fuel carbon intensity and total greenhouse gas emissions for each covered voyage, and meet slotted reductions such as about a 30% cut in carbon intensity by 2030–2034 and full (100%) reduction by 2050.
  • Ports and nearby communities would see in-port emission limits aimed at eliminating greenhouse gases and air pollutants for which the EPA has issued criteria by January 1, 2035, with feasibility considered for health, safety, and environmental impacts.
  • Regulators would set approved monitoring and reporting methods, harmonize them with international and EU schemes where possible, and publish annual vessel emission data on federal websites for public access.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

New ship fuel carbon limits

If enacted, the bill would make the EPA set limits on how much greenhouse gas fuel can produce for big commercial ships. The rules would use 2027 as the carbon baseline and cover vessels of 400 gross tons or more on U.S. and U.S.-foreign commercial trips. The bill would require stepwise cuts: 30% by 2030–2034, 58% by 2034–2039, 83% by 2040–2044, 92% by 2045–2049, and net zero by 2050 and later. EPA could allow averaging, crediting, a short-voyage exemption (30 days or less per year), or adopt IMO standards if they are as strict.

Annual ship emissions reporting rules

If enacted, the bill would require each ship owner or operator to report every year. Reports must show fuel carbon intensity and fuel used for each covered trip and total GHGs in CO2-equivalent. EPA would publish a compiled public report within 180 days after each year, and DOT would post a copy within 30 days of EPA's publication. EPA would also set acceptable monitoring and reporting methods and try to harmonize them with EU and IMO approaches.

In-port zero-emission rules for ships

If enacted, the bill would make EPA set rules by January 1, 2029, to stop greenhouse gas and certain air pollutant emissions from ships at berth or anchor by January 1, 2035. If full elimination by 2035 is not feasible, EPA would require the maximum feasible reduction by that date. EPA must consider health, safety, and environmental impacts when judging what is feasible. Ports and ship operators would likely need new equipment or shore power to comply.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

CA • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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