US DEVELOPMENTS – AUGUST 2025
Attached at Annex A, please find the monthly report prepared by the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) for August 2025.
The report at Annex A:
1. Updates on the U.S. position on GHG issues at IMO, noting that recent press releases make clear that the U.S. will actively oppose IMO initiatives and advocate for other countries to align their positions with the U.S.’ opposing position. Further, this issue now seems to be acting as
leverage as part of the U.S.’ ongoing bilateral tariff negotiations with other countries.
2. Notes that given U.S. Congress was in its summer recess over August, no updates on legislation previously noted in prior reports saw any action. Activity is expected to resume when Congress returns in early September.
3. Reports that CSA recently had the opportunity to discuss the SHIPS for America Act with relevant staff and registered its opposition to Section 202 of the Act on regular tonnage taxes which could potentially conflict with the USTR port fees.
4. Reports that EPA is proposing to rescind the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangering Finding, which is a prerequisite for regulating emissions from new motor vehicles and new motor vehicle engines. At this point in time, there is no mention of expanding the issue to include marine engines, however, CSA notes that given the position of the current U.S. administration on GHG emissions from any source, it could well be expanded to include other sources beyond highway vehicles either in this proposal or a separate proposal in the future.
5. Summarises the CSA submission of comments to the FMC investigation into so-called flags of convenience.
The ICS Secretariat will continue to closely monitor the issues outlined in the report above and will report separately on any major developments.