Regulatory backdrop

Broadly speaking, policy pertaining to maritime transport is handled by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), with some elements handled by the U.S. Coast Guard. Matters relating to the environmental impacts of maritime transport however, are the province of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In Canada, Environment & Climate Change Canada only regulates small marine engines (less than 37 kW in output); larger engines (and their emissions) are regulated by Transport Canada. Maritime transport regulations, more broadly, are also handled by Transport Canada.

In grappling with environmental impacts of maritime transport, the EPA and Transport Canada have generally focused efforts on regulating vessel emissions, along with some work on setting quality stand