US DEVELOPMENTS – September 2025
Attached at Annex A, please find the monthly report prepared by the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) for September 2025.
The report at Annex A covers the following :-
1. Updates on recent policy changes to the U.S. visa program, noting that while the overall visa program administration appears to be undergoing major shifts, so far none specifically reference mariner visas. A few cases of visa revocation (some involving deportation) by CBP have been reported in the media, and CSA has contacted CBP to understand the circumstances of these cases; however, no additional information was disclosed. CSA continues to monitor the situation closely and urges members to provide them with any information relating to problems with mariner visa issuance.
2. Notes that there is still no compliance guidance on implementation of USTR fees from USTR or CBP, but on 3 October, CBP published a guidance document with information relating to payment procedures, which also states that the burden of determining the responsible party for payment of the fees falls on the operator.
3. Confirms, following last month’s report, that the U.S. is reaching out to certain IMO Member States in the hopes of convincing them to oppose the Net Zero Framework proposal; however, while CSA is not aware of which specific countries have been targeted, the U.S. seems to be focusing on countries that have previously abstained and certain flag states.
4. Reports that the U.S. government is currently experiencing a shutdown (since 1 October) and therefore a significant portion of government agency workers are on unpaid leave, with only essential activities continuing.
5. Explains that there has not been much progress regarding the SHIPS for America Act, but based on recent discussions, several sources are indicating that the bill will likely move forward in separate pieces based on subject matter, as opposed to a full bill.
6. Reports that CSA was invited to provide testimony to the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on the Section 881 of the Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act, which would allow renewable fuels used in ocean-going vessels to generate and retain renewable identification numbers (RINs), putting marine fuel applications on an equal footing with fuel used in other applications already included in the renewable fuel program. The text from CSA’s testimony can be found in Annex A.