US seeks to clamp down on pollution from major ships

Jul 1, 2009, 20:24 GMT

Washington - The United States will impose tougher fuel and engine standards on ocean-bound US ships, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Wednesday in its latest effort to curb air pollution and protect the country's coastal regions.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said the new shipping requirements would bring the United States in line with international standards. The US and Canada agreed in March to stiffen pollution controls along their coastline, but the deal still has to be approved by the United Nations' ocean agency.

'Lowering emissions from American ships will help safeguard our port communities and demonstrate American leadership in protecting our health and the environment around the globe,' Jackson said in a statement.

The announcement comes one day after the EPA gave US states the go-ahead to clamp down on the emissions of US cars. Some 14 states, led by California, are expected to raise petrol standards this year. A beefed-up national standard will follow in 2012.