Bill · S. 2243· Senate(119-S-2243)
International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 7/10/2025
- Last activity
- 7/10/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Sheldon Whitehouse
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act of了 2025'', requires the EPA Administrator to assess fees on shipping and other vessels. These fees target lifecycle carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions and specific criteria air pollutants. The legislation mandates detailed reporting from vessel operators regarding fuel consumption and cargo mass. It also establishes several programs funded by these collected fees to modernize the Jones Act fleet and support research into low-carbon maritime technologies. Additionally, the bill provides funding for workforce development and air monitoring in port communities.
Yes· 3 of 11
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+8
The bill directly targets CO2 emissions from maritime transport through fees and modernization incentives.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The bill aims to reduce criteria air pollutants and improve water quality in port areas.
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+5
It funds research into low-carbon maritime fuels and zero-emission technology.
The opposite
Does this raise the taxes companies pay?-3
The bill imposes new fees on vessel operators and importers that function as a tax on maritime commerce.
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Vessel operators and importers will face new fees and strict reporting requirements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Public Health Improvements: The bill addresses findings that ports contribute to poor air quality and worse health outcomes in surrounding neighborhoods (Section 2). By assessing fees on nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter, the bill aims to reduce these pollutants (Section 6).
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Modernization of Vessels: Funds are allocated to help owners of Jones Act vessels replace or retrofit their ships with zero-emissions technologies, such as batteries or low-carbon fuels (Section 7(a)(2)).
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Research and Technological Advancement: The bill provides money for research and development of low-carbon maritime fuels and low-emission maritime technologies (Section 7(b)).
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Workforce Development: Funding is set aside to support training for the maintenance and operation of zero-emission port equipment and vessels (Section 7(c)).
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Enhanced Air Monitoring: The bill provides money to create fenceline air monitoring at port boundaries and in nearby communities to monitor air quality (Section 7(f)).
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Environmental Protection: Funds are directed toward the Clean Ports program, the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund, and the Marine Debris Foundation (Section 7(g)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burdens on Operators: Vessel operators are required to pay fees based on the mass of fuel consumed and the emissions produced (Section 5 and Section 6).
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Penalties for Non-compliance: Operators who fail to pay assessed fees on time face a 20 percent increase in the fee amount, with additional 20 percent increases for every 30-day period the fee remains unpaid (Section 5(b)(4) and Section 6(4)).
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Costs Passed to Importers: For certain voyages, the fee may be assessed on the importer rather than the vessel operator (Section 5(c)).
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Strict Reporting Requirements: Operators must submit extensive information regarding their voyages, including fuel mass, cargo mass, and time spent in various locations (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Carbon Emissions+8Improves Environmental Protections+7Increases Renewable Energy Investment+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Children+3Good For Union Workers+3Good For Business Owners-2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+1Increases Corporate Taxes-3
- 7/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont