The US House of Representatives has voted to overturn the federal waiver underpinning California’s Commercial Harbor Craft rule, which has required the state’s tugs, ferries, and other workboats to run on renewable diesel since 2023, according to Ship & Bunker.
House Joint Resolution 213, introduced by California Republican James Gallagher, passed by a vote of 214 to 208 on Wednesday evening. Ship & Bunker reports that three Democrats and one independent joined 210 Republicans in supporting the measure, citing the House Clerk’s record.
Second Waiver Targeted in Two Days
The vote follows a similar action a day earlier, when the House voted 216 to 211 to overturn the At-Berth shore power rule, Ship & Bunker notes. Both resolutions rely on the Congressional Review Act to disapprove Environmental Protection Agency waivers that were transmitted to Congress in July. If enacted, repeal would also prevent any substantially similar waiver from being issued in the future.
According to the outlet, both measures now move to the Senate, where Ohio Republican Bernie Moreno has already filed the companion resolution targeting the harbor craft waiver. A simple majority would be sufficient for Senate passage.
The Rule at the Center of the Dispute
The Commercial Harbor Craft rule, originally adopted in 2009 and amended in 2022, has been a significant driver of renewable diesel bunker demand on the US West Coast. Ship & Bunker reports that the rule has mandated R99 or R100 renewable diesel for California’s harbor craft fleet since January 2023, while also requiring most vessels to install diesel particulate filters.
Citing trade publication The Waterways Journal, Ship & Bunker notes that industry groups argue the filter requirement is currently unworkable, as no viable marine particulate filter has been developed and the US Coast Guard has declined to certify available options. The American Waterways Operators has backed the Senate resolution, contending that the rule’s impact extends beyond California into interstate commerce.
Pacific Environment, a climate campaign group that has opposed both resolutions, warned that the House votes could damage American shipbuilding competitiveness. In an emailed statement reported by Ship & Bunker, the group’s senior climate campaign director Teresa Bui said the waivers had “spurred investments in cleaner vessels, port infrastructure and maritime innovations,” adding that “now all eyes turn to the Senate.”
Does This Matter to You?
Operators of tugs, ferries, and harbor craft along the US West Coast, along with renewable diesel suppliers and bunker traders serving that segment, may want to monitor how the Senate handles both resolutions. Should the waivers be overturned, the renewable diesel mandate and associated filter requirements that have shaped California harbor craft operations since 2023 could be reversed, according to the source material. This would directly affect compliance planning and bunker fuel demand patterns for vessels operating in California ports, though the ultimate outcome remains dependent on Senate action.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
