Marine transport

Will 176 nations adopt the first global carbon tax on ships?

Countries were ready to take up a net-zero framework last summer — until the Trump admin raised tariff threats. Now, they’ll try to reach consensus at this week’s meeting.

By Naveena Sadasivam . 21 April 2026

Red hulled ship at sea with the tops of four palm trees in the foreground — (Shady Alassar/Anadolu via Getty Images via Grist)

Marine transport

Can cargo shipping stay the course toward cleaner fuels?

Clean-fuel producers and shipowners are in limbo after the International Maritime Organization delayed a decision on a landmark climate rule amid U.S. opposition.

By Maria Gallucci . 22 October 2025
Marine transport

Global rules to decarbonize ships delayed amid Trump’s pushback

Just weeks ago an agreement on the International Maritime Organization’s ambitious decarbonization plan seemed certain. Then the U.S. stepped up opposition.

By Maria Gallucci, Dan McCarthy . 17 October 2025
Marine transport

Major Midwest port begins electrifying operations to reduce emissions

The Port of Cleveland is adding charging ports, batteries, and solar to its main warehouse — work funded by a federal program that has so far survived Trump’s cuts.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 6 October 2025
Electrification

Electric boats splash down in rural Maine's coastal waters

Battery-powered vessels are catching on in the U.S. and globally as the tech improves. In Maine's Casco Bay, early adopters are using e-boats on oyster farms.

By Julia Tilton, Maria Gallucci . 15 September 2025
Marine transport

NYC just launched its first hybrid-electric ferry

The Harbor Charger is now cruising New York Harbor, cutting down on CO2 and diesel pollution. The vessel joins a tiny but growing U.S. fleet of cleaner boats.

By Maria Gallucci . 20 August 2025
Marine transport

Amogy raises $56M to commercialize ammonia for heavy-duty transit

The startup has now raised more than $270M to support its goal of decarbonizing tricky industries like shipping. So far, it has tested an ammonia-powered tugboat.

By Allison Prang . 15 January 2025
Marine transport

Cargo ships turn to ancient tech to curb modern pollution: wind

As shipping companies face mounting pressure to curb CO2 emissions, old-fashioned sails and new designs are helping to reduce the need for fossil fuels.

By Maria Gallucci . 9 December 2024
Marine transport

San Francisco launches world's first commercial hydrogen ferry

The fuel cell–powered vessel officially launched this week after years in development. Diesel ferries are among the biggest polluters on U.S. waterfronts.

By Maria Gallucci . 12 July 2024
Marine transport

This boat runs on 100% renewables. Can it help clean up bigger ships?

The Energy Observer has sailed the world as a floating lab of zero-emission technologies. Now its owners want to apply what they’ve learned to dirty freighters.

By Maria Gallucci . 17 April 2024
Marine transport

The first all-electric tugboat in the US is about to launch

The eWolf will begin operating this spring at the Port of San Diego, marking an important early step toward slashing diesel pollution from America's ports.

By Maria Gallucci . 9 April 2024