California Air Resources Board News

California: MSC Pays $630K for Air Quality Violations

Swiss container shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) paid $630,625 in penalties to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for violating the Ocean-Going Vessel At-Berth Regulation.According to CARB, the violations were discovered during a routine audit of the company’s 2014 visits to the Port of Oakland and the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.The investigation by CARB revealed more than 2500 violations for both the Oakland and LA/LB fleets for failing…

San Pedro Bay Ports Ready Cleaner Truck Rules

New trucks entering service at the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles as of October 1, 2018, must be model year 2014 or newer, as the San Pedro Bay ports move forward with efforts to improve air quality and reduce the health impacts of air pollution.As part of the Clean Trucks Program, all trucks going into marine terminals in the two ports must be on the Port Drayage Truck Registry (PDTR). The new requirement applies only to trucks registering in the PDTR for the first time. Trucks that are already registered as of Sept.

Port of Long Beach Awarded $50 Mln for Zero Emissions Project

The drive toward cleaner goods movement continues on the U.S. West Coast. The Port of Long Beach announced Tuesday it has received preliminary approval for a $50 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to demonstrate a near-zero and zero-emissions supply chain at the nation’s second-busiest seaport.CARB has preliminarily awarded the grant for the Sustainable Terminals Accelerating Regional Transformation (START) Project, which will demonstrate nearly 100 pieces of zero-emissions terminal equipment and trucks at three California seaports…

Port Emissions Fall Even as Cargo Rises

The Port of Long Beach is continuing to outperform 2023 clean air goals for diesel particles and sulfur oxides, even while cargo volumes have jumped to record levels, according to a comprehensive study of Port-related air pollution emissions.The 2017 annual “emissions inventory” found the Port’s aggressive actions to curb pollution have cut diesel particulates by 88 percent, sulfur oxides by 97 percent and nitrogen oxides by 56 percent since 2005, the baseline year which emissions are measured against.

Port of Long Beach Receives Zero-emissions Equipment Grant

Cap-and-trade funds electric vehicle demonstrationAs part of its transition to zero-emissions operations, the Port of Long Beach will use a $5.3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to deploy hydrogen- and electric-powered cargo-handling equipment at two shipping terminals.The funds for the Commercialization of POLB Off-Road Technology Demonstration Project (C-PORT) leverage Long Beach’s place as the nation’s second-busiest seaport to test the viability of zero-emissions vehicles that are used on the docks.

Port of Los Angeles to Get New Container Staging Facility

The Harbor Performance Enhancement Center (HPEC), a unique $130 million-dollar public-private partnership dedicated to facilitating sustainable freight movement and supply chain efficiencies throughout the United States, has completed a strategic transaction with Macquarie Principal Finance, to provide capital for the development of the 5.5 million square foot container staging hub located at Terminal Island in the Port of Los Angeles (POLA). As detailed in a brief video, the…

Port of Los Angeles: Highest Cargo Numbers Ever Produce Lowest Emissions

Emissions inventory shows 2016 was a banner year for green growth. The Port of Los Angeles achieved record clean air gains while moving more cargo than ever, according to the Port’s 2016 Inventory of Air Emissions. Released today, the annual report also shows the Port surpassed its 2020 goal for reducing the health risk of emissions from port-related activity. “Our ports are the engines that power our economy, and they can also be the forces that drive our region toward a greener, healthier future,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Los Angeles Port Expands Incentive Program to Reduce Emissions

The Port of Los Angeles and other participating Environmental Ship Index (ESI) incentive providers have expanded their rewards programs for vessel operators willing to go above and beyond regulatory standards to cut harmful emissions from ships. Under a new formula that took effect July 1, participating ESI vessel operators are now earning additional incentive points for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from their ships. CO2 is a major source of the heat-trapping greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, and ships are a key source of CO2 emissions from port-related operations.

Port and Environmental Regulations: Charting the Best Route

Trade, federal preemption and states’ rights have been the subject of debate, legal cases and jurisdictional battles for more than 200 years. During my time in the Coast Guard and serving as Captain of the Port, Puget Sound, we dealt with a preemption case involving tankers that went to the Supreme Court. Earlier in my career, it was the role of the federal pilotage in a state pilotage system, again decided at the Supreme Court. And, in my current role as Vice President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association…

EPA Grant for Port of LA

The Port of Los Angeles has received an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deploy green commercial equipment for moving cargo. The award will pay between 25 to 40 percent of the cost to replace and upgrade 18 pieces of yard equipment at two Los Angeles container terminals, with the full complement due to be in service by fall 2018. Two terminal operators, APM Terminals Pacific Ltd. and TraPac LLC, are funding the lion’s share of the $3 million project.

The Port of Oakland is Curbing Emissions

Diesel emissions from trucks and ships serving the Port of Oakland declined 98 percent and 75 percent respectively between 2005 and 2015, as found by an emissions inventory released by the port. According to the port, an analysis of the 2015 Emissions Inventory shows a 76 percent decrease in total diesel emissions at the Oakland Seaport. “This is a significant achievement,” said Richard Sinkoff, Director of Environmental Programs and Planning at the Port. The port’s study found that truck Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) emissions have decreased from 16 tons in 2005 to 0.4 tons in 2015…

2015 Congestion Affected Long Beach Port's Air Quality

Pollution around the Port of Long Beach has been dramatically cut over the last decade, however, according to the latest study, lingering effects from ships at anchor in early 2015 impacted air quality last year. The 2015 annual inventory of port-related air emissions, conducted by an independent consultant, found the Port’s aggressive actions to curtail pollution have decreased diesel particulate matter by 84 percent since 2005, a slight decrease from the 85 percent reduction reported in 2014. Sulfur oxides were 97 percent lower, the same level reported in 2014.

Hueneme Port Expands Ship Pollution Reduction Program

The Port of Hueneme launched the second phase of its Grid-Connected Shore Power System, celebrating another next step forward in reducing air emissions and minimizing environmental impact. Among the community leaders attending the ribbon cutting were Congresswoman Julia Brownley, County Supervisor Kathy Long, Ms. Sabiha Khan with Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office, Port Hueneme Mayor Douglas Breeze, and VCTC chairman Keith Millhouse. By connecting to the Port’s Grid-Based Shore Power System…

MarPro Profile: Frances L. Keeler

Frances Keeler, Senior Counsel, Clyde & Co US LLP, might not necessarily be your typical ‘maritime professional’ but what she does on a daily basis is no less important to the waterfront – and the environment – than, for example, anything the builder of the best designed vessel in service today can put together. That’s because Keeler represents clients before various regulatory entities including the US EPA, California Air Resources Board and the local air pollution agencies on rule development…

California Fines Shipper for Clean Air Violations

The California Air Resources Board has fined the China Navigation Co. Pte. Ltd. $129,500 for failure to switch its engines over from heavy diesel bunker fuel to cleaner, low-sulfur fuel when close to the California coast, as required by state law. CARB’s Ocean-Going Vessel Fuel regulation is a critical part of California’s plan to attain air quality standards in Southern California and across the state. On December 28, 2012, an ARB inspector found that the vessel Chenan, managed by the China Navigation Co. Pte. Ltd., operated within Regulated California Waters (i.e.

California Okays Ship Emissions Capturing System

Clean Air Engineering-Maritime (CAEM)'s emissions treatment system for ocean-going vessels has been approved by the California Air Resources Board, giving operators of container vessels a second option for complying with the state’s strict emissions requirements for vessels at berth. Technology, developed at the port of Los Angeles, captures 90% of 'at-berth' emissions. CAEM announced it has received CARB approval for the first commercially ready ship emissions capturing system called the Maritime Emissions Treatment System (METS). The METS-1 is CAEM’s first-generation system.

Ship Manager Fined for Emissions Regulations Breach

A ship management company has been fined $283,500 in connection with a breach of clean air regulations in the United States, the International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has confirmed. ITIC reports that an inspector of the California Air Resources Board, the clean air agency of the state of California, boarded a ship in July 2011 at a terminal in Los Angeles. The chief engineer was asked if he was aware of the revised 2009 California clean air regulations which required vessels to switch main engine…

California Fines 4 Shipping Firms

The California Air Resources Board has fined four shipping companies a combined $146,719 for failing to switch from dirty diesel “bunker” fuel to cleaner, low-sulfur marine distillate fuel upon entering Regulated California Waters – within 24 nautical miles of the California coast. “State anti-pollution laws require shippers to do their part to protect air quality,” said ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden. “Shippers who comply are helping to protect the health of those who live, work, and go to schools near ports and shipping lanes.

Fuel Management & Safety

The 2015 Baltic ECA requirements make the increase in marine casualties inevitable. You can do something about it. The march towards cleaner air in coastal areas is well underway. For example, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) amended the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) designating specific portions of U.S., Canadian and French waters as Emission Control Areas (ECA) in 2010. Since August 2012, the use of fuel oil which does not exceed 1.0% sulfur has been required.

Port of Hueneme Receives EPA Grant

Port staff received news that the Port of Hueneme was among the awardees to receive funds through the EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). The funds will be used to complete an enhanced phase II to the Port’s existing Shore Power Project that will allow additional vessels to simultaneously connect to the Port’s Shore Power system. Following passage of AB 32 by the state assembly, programs were put in place to allow ships at berth in California ports to turn off their more polluting marine engines dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Port Eliminates 81% of Diesel Air Pollution

The Port of Long Beach has cut diesel particulates by 81 percent since 2005, according to an analysis just released. The results for 2012 mark six straight years of improving air quality in the harbor area thanks to the Port's focused efforts to reduce air pollution caused by goods movement. The reasons for air quality improvements include bigger ships carrying cargo more efficiently, newer ships with cleaner engines, the Jan. 1, 2012 deadline for full implementation of the Clean Trucks Program…

Calif. Fines Shippers $440K for Violating Fuel Regulation

The California Air Resources Board has fined three international shipping companies a combined $440,250 for failure to switch from dirty bunker fuel to cleaner, low-sulfur marine distillate fuel upon entering Regulated California Waters, as required by state law. “Ships en route to California ports emit thousands of tons of diesel exhaust each year,” said ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden. An ARB investigation showed that on 17 visits to California ports between November 6, 2009 and July 18…

Plug In to AMP or Stay Away from California Ports

Come Jan. 1, 2014, the maritime industry in California faces a looming reality: ships must link up to port alternative maritime power (AMP). “Compliance is not optional,” said T.L. Garrett, vice president of Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. Garrett’s group represents the majority of international shipping lines and terminal operators doing business on the West Coast; most of them will be impacted by state rules to go into effect next year mandating the use of shore power for container, reefer and cruise ships.

North American Emission Rules for Ships to Enter Force

On 1 August 2012, enforcement of the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA) is due to commence. This third and largest ECA (the other two encompass the North Sea and the Baltic Sea areas) was first proposed by Canada and the United States on 27 March 2009. France quickly joined in on behalf of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, its territory off the Atlantic coast of Canada. The proposal was approved by the IMO on 26 March 2010 by means of an amendment to Annex VI (Regulations for Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to the MARPOL Convention.

CA ARB to Enforce Harbor Craft Rules

ARB has received United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) authorization to enforce the Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation, including new and in-use engine emission limits. In 2007, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted the Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation (CHC regulation), which has reporting, recordkeeping, and monitoring requirements, in addition to requirements for both new and in-use engines. ARB was required to request authorization from the U.S. EPA to enforce the new, in-use, and best available control technology requirements. On December 15, 2011, the U.S.

Foss: West Coast Icon on Environmental Cutting Edge

Foss Maritime, founded by the matriarch of the Foss family in 1889, is as much a cultural icon on the U.S. West Coast as McAllister or Moran are on the East Coast. Norwegian immigrant Thea Foss began the business when she bought her first row boat in Tacoma, Wash. and painted it the signature green and white. The Foss family grew the business into a launch  service ferrying crew and supplies in the 1910s, then shifted into towing work in the 1940s. Thea Foss is considered the inspiration for Tug Boat Annie…