MATSUI, MULLIN, WHITEHOUSE, PADILLA REINTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REDUCE OCEAN SHIPPING POLLUTION, MODERNIZE MARITIME INDUSTRY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Congressman Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), and U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)and Alex Padilla (D-CA), reintroduced legislation aimed at reducing harmful pollution from the global shipping industry. Maritime shipping is a significant source of greenhouse gas pollution around the world and a major contributor to local air pollution in port communities.

The bicameral International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act would address pollution from large cargo ships and oil tankers by charging a fee for greenhouse gases and other hazardous air pollutants emitted by these ships. The revenue from collected fees would be used to fund cleaner ships and port equipment, protecting our port communities and fighting climate change, while also revitalizing the U.S. shipping industry.  

“The climate crisis isn’t a distant threat. It’s here, it’s accelerating, and it’s devastating communities across our state and our country,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “We must act quickly to reduce greenhouse gases and other harmful air pollution across our economy. The International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act takes decisive action to slash pollution from cargo ships and provide urgently needed investment in clean maritime technology and infrastructure. While the International Maritime Organization made history this spring by approving a global net-zero shipping framework, President Trump tried to derail negotiations and continues to block any action to fight climate change. This bill would ensure the U.S. is leading—not lagging—on climate action. As Trump and his allies double down on climate denial and fossil fuel handouts, we’re fighting back with real solutions that protect public health and the planet.”

“Communities near our ports—like those in the San Francisco Bay Area—bear the brunt of pollution from ships that fuel global trade,” said Congressman Mullin. “The International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act ensures that the global shipping industry does its part to reduce emissions. The revenue from these pollution fees will help speed the shift to cleaner ships and healthier ports. I’m proud to partner with Congresswoman Matsui to advance this policy that meets the urgency of the climate crisis while protecting the people and places most impacted by maritime emissions.” 

“As climate change destroys lives and drives up costs for families, we need an all-hands-on-deck approach to avoid the worst consequences for communities, businesses, and the environment,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Encouragingly, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has put forward a global carbon price on shipping emissions. This legislation reinforces that work, further cutting harmful emissions while supporting the maritime innovators that are pioneering clean technologies to protect public health and can help put us on course to climate safety.”

“California’s ports are the powerhouse of our country’s economy, moving critical freight and providing good-paying jobs, all while leading the nation’s decarbonizing efforts. But neighboring communities have been forced to shoulder the brunt of global shipping pollution for too long,” said Senator Padilla. “Our legislation would strengthen the sustainability of our shipping industry by reducing emissions in maritime transportation while simultaneously protecting coastal communities. The health of our communities and our planet requires us to be forward-looking and ambitious — we owe future generations nothing less than bold, transformative action.”

The International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act would:

• Impose a $150 per ton fee on greenhouse gas pollution emitted by ships carrying cargo destined for the U.S., as well as fees for nitrogen oxides ($6.30/lb.), sulfur dioxide ($18/lb.), and soot (PM2.5) ($38.90/lb.) that ships emit in U.S. waters. The fees would only apply to large foreign-flagged ships with 5,000 gross tonnage or more.
• Provide critical funding to modernize the Jones Act fleet with low-carbon vessels, revitalizing and electrifying U.S. shipbuilding, and addressing and reducing pollutants in America’s port communities, along our coasts, and in our oceans.

The International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act has been endorsed by EV Maritime, Friends of the Earth, GreenLatinos, Ocean Conservancy, Pacific Environment, San Pedro & Peninsula Homeowners Coalition, Sierra Club, 350 Bay Area Action, and 350 Brooklyn.

“We applaud Senator Whitehouse and Representative Matsui for reintroducing the International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act of 2025,” said Antonio Santos, Federal Climate Policy Director, Pacific Environment. “This bill will ensure that the shipping industry pays its fair share in the fight against climate change. It will raise billions of dollars over the next decade, funds that would be reinvested into cleaner ships and port infrastructure, as well as maritime workforce training and development. The bill will curb the shipping industry’s massive pollution problem and help protect port communities that are disproportionately exposed to harmful emissions. Now is the time for the U.S. to show global leadership in the transition to a zero-emission shipping industry, and we call on Congress to pass this important legislation.”

“Global shipping is responsible for 1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year, equal to the emissions from 112 billion gallons of gasoline,” said Caroline Bonfield, Ocean Conservancy’s Shipping Emissions U.S. Policy Manager. “This pollution heats our ocean, drives climate change and chokes portside communities with toxic fumes. But the U.S. can chart a new course. The International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act would charge a fee to large ships offloading cargo at U.S. ports for their emissions, and use the funds to make critical upgrades here in the U.S., like electrifying ports, modernizing vessels and switching to cleaner fuel. Passing this bill would protect the ocean, reduce climate impacts and create cleaner air for millions of Americans living near ports. It would also make the entire U.S. maritime sector including American ships more efficient and competitive. Ocean Conservancy is grateful for the leadership of Representative Matsui and Senator Whitehouse on this critical issue. For the health of our ocean and our communities, we urge Congress to pass this common sense legislation.” 

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