US lawmakers revive green shipping bill
US lawmakers have reintroduced legislation to establish a $1 billion/year funding programme for green shipping.
IMAGE: Cranes ready to unload a container ship in the Port of Long Beach in California. Getty Images
US state representatives Nanette Barragán and Troy Carter, along with senator Chris Van Hollen, have reintroduced the Next Generation Shipping Act.
The bill would direct the US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) to support the research, design, development, demonstration and deployment of vessels with zero-emission potential.
Funding would also be available to retrofit existing vessels or replace them with zero-emission potential vessels, as well as develop charging and “clean” fuel infrastructure.
The legislation defines a "clean" alternative fuel as one that achieves at least a 90% reduction in well-to-wake GHG emissions compared with conventional marine fossil fuels, measured in grams of CO2-equivalent per unit of energy.
The fuel must also be demonstrated to be safe for people, communities and the marine environment, the bill states.
The bill is intended to accelerate the commercial deployment of low- and zero-emission marine technologies, while supporting the development of domestic shipbuilding capacity, alternative fuel infrastructure and a maritime workforce capable of supporting the transition.
“The bill would also help the United States keep up with other countries in Europe and Asia that are already investing heavily in clean shipping technology,” lawmakers said.
By Konica Bhatt
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