Sen. Van Hollen Proposes $10 Billion Plan to Build Zero-Emission Ships and Port Infrastructure
A bill to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to support the research, design, development, demonstration, and deployment of zero-emission vessels and retrofit or replacement of existing vessels with zero-emission vessel technologies and charging infrastructure or fueling infrastructure, and for other purposes.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation received this bill on June 24, 2026. It has not moved since that date and remains under committee review. Most bills do not receive a committee vote, so it is unclear if this proposal will advance further.
Companion bill: Rep. Barragan Introduces $10 Billion Bill to Move U.S. Shipping to Zero-Emission Vessels →This bill faces a difficult path because of its high cost and specific focus on green energy, which often divides lawmakers along party lines.
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
Companion
Identical companion bill H.R. 9454 (119th) was introduced in the other chamber.
H.R. 9454 (119th) →Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
The program funds workforce training and education, including Coast Guard-approved curricula and simulation technology for people earning merchant mariner credentials to operate zero-emission ships. This creates new training pathways at maritime academies and nonprofit training centers tied to labor unions.
“support workforce training and development for the research, design, development, demonstration, deployment, and maintenance of zero-emission and clean alternative fuel vessels and charging infrastructure or fueling infrastructure”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Senator Chris Van Hollen and Reps. Nanette Barragán and Troy Carter reintroduced the Next Generation Shipping Act to fund zero-emission ship research and port upgrades, aiming to reduce pollution in coastal communities and strengthen U.S. maritime competitiveness.
The Next Generation Shipping Act would establish a $1 billion annual fund managed by MARAD to develop clean shipping technology. The bill supports zero-emission vessels, alternative fuels, and port electrification to meet global climate targets.
U.S. lawmakers reintroduced a bill to create a $1 billion annual program for clean shipping technology. The Next Generation Shipping Act focuses on zero-emission vessels and infrastructure to address the shipping industry's significant greenhouse gas emissions.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
A bill to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to support the research, design, development, demonstration, and deployment of zero-emission vessels and retrofit or replacement of existing vessels with zero-emission vessel technologies and charging infrastructure or fueling infrastructure, and for other purposes.
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