US Law and Policy Developments

US Law and Policy Developments - World Bunkering – Q3 2025  October 1, 2025

Steve Simms writes that the US bunkering market in 2025 is shaped by political disengagement from global climate policy combined with continued domestic fuel intervention. While the US has withdrawn from IMO climate negotiations, bunker suppliers operating in the US must still meet IMO and EU requirements to serve globally trading vessels. The near-term US fuel strategy favors LNG and biofuels, alongside continued use of compliant conventional fuels.

The US has withdrawn from IMO climate talks and rejected carbon pricing, carbon intensity rules, and fuel penalties.  There is threat of retaliatory measures if US-flag ships are targeted internationally. 

But at the same time, US domestic support for selected fuels continues.  LNG promoted as a transition fuel; regulatory barriers to LNG bunkering removed.  Biofuels supported via federal tax credits (up to $1/gal for marine fuels).  There also is continued encouragement of traditional fuels, including scrubber-compatible grades.  The administration has signaled longer-term support signaled for hydrogen, fuel cells, and nuclear propulsion.

The Executive order on “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance” seeks to revive US shipbuilding, but faces high labor costs, limited shipyard capacity, and a lack of US-flag tankers.

Bunker traders and suppliers should plan for dual compliance: US domestic policy and international regulation. 

The US bunkering market in 2025 is politically noisy but commercially predictable:

Suppliers must continue to meet global compliance standards, with LNG and biofuels emerging as favored fuels, while regulatory enforcement on sulfur and fuel quality remains firm.

Read the full article and details of considerations here: US Law and Policy Developments - World Bunkering