Pacific Maritime Association

21 California Ports Upgrade to Meet New Air Quality Regulations T erminal operators, ports and shipping carriers invested hun- dreds of millions of dollars on ter- minal updates across California in order to comply with new air quality regulations set to take effect at the beginning of 2014. The new regula- tions call for container, passenger and reefer vessels to use shore-side elec- trical power at the state's six largest ports to reduce emissions from aux- iliary engines while at berth. Ships are also mandated to use low-sulfur fuel while within 24 nautical miles of the California coast. The shore power regulation requires that 50 percent of all ships that call at California ports be equipped with such capability in 2014, with 100 percent compliance in six years. Ships must also achieve an overall 50 percent emissions reduction under the regulation; the state regulator has indicated that it may also con- sider alternative measures that would capture equivalent emissions savings at a lower cost. Significant Progress in Coast-Wide Emissions Reduction West Coast ports continue to lead the nation in emissions reductions efforts, with a range of initiatives and incentive programs created in recent years to limit pollution from terminal and rail operations, clean truck pro- grams and vessels both at berth and traveling near the coast. Air quality studies released in 2013 testify to the effectiveness of these programs: in annual emissions inventories, the Southern California ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach reported declines of roughly 80 percent in diesel particulate matter (DPM) from levels registered in 2005. The data also revealed significant reductions in levels of other pol- lutants at both ports, particularly that of sulfur oxide, which has plunged 88 percent since 2005. The Port of Oakland reported a 70 percent drop in DPM from 2005 levels, along with an 80 percent decline in sulfur oxide. This progress puts the port well on track to meeting its goal of achieving an 85 percent reduction in port-related diesel emissions by 2020. In the Pacific Northwest, the ports of Tacoma and Seattle joined their counterpart in Vancouver, Canada, in announcing a 2013 update to the aggressive pollution reduction targets in the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. They have extended this partnership to 2020 with the stated goal of reducing overall diesel emis- sions in the region by 80 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent, relative to levels measured in 2005. The new strategies take into account improved emissions reduction technology and are better designed to complement state and federal regula- tions. Ports and Shipping Lines Recognized for Environmental Leadership Following the adoption of the first Voluntary Environmental Ship Index (ESI) in North America in 2012, the Port of Los Angeles recognized 12 vessel operators for their partici- pation in the program over the past year. The ESI uses a web-based tool to track and reward shipping lines for bringing their newest, cleanest vessels to the port, using a scale established by the International Maritime Orga- nization. The Port of Los Angeles also recognized 26 shipping and cruise lines for their participation in its vessel speed reduction program, where ships reduce speeds and therefore emissions as they enter and depart the port. The Port of Long Beach also con- tinued its financial incentive programs to ocean carriers, granting $135,000 to 10 major shipping lines for bringing cleaner vessels to call at the port under its Green Ship award. It celebrated nearly universal participation in its Green Flag program, offering the greatest incentive to ships that slow their speeds within 40 nautical miles of the coast. In April, the Port of Seattle became the first port outside of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region to join the Green Marine initiative, a joint U.S.-Canada maritime environmental program. The initiative is supported by a coalition of more than 40 agencies and environmental organizations that work alongside participating companies to meet and exceed envi- ronmental regulatory targets and requirements. The Environment An MOL auto carrier crosses under the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Los Angeles. 21 P A C I F I C M A R I T I M E A S S O C I A T I O N T H E Y E A R I N R E V I E W

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