Ports' distillate fuel plan is official
The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach yesterday officially adopted an incentive scheme for ships to use distillate fuel in the port area.
"This joint effort demonstrates once again that these two ports are world leaders in aggressively and dramatically advancing environmental protection," said Los Angeles Harbor Commission President S. David Freeman.
Under the scheme, the two port authorities will subsidise shipowners to use distillate fuel instead of fuel oil bunkers in the main engines of their ships.
Sulphur oxides (SOx) will be cut by as much as 11% and particulate matter (PM) by 9%, according to their figures.
"Ships are the No. 1 pollution source here at the ports and we don't want to keep waiting for state regulations to kick in," said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Mario Cordero.
Next year, regulations making distillate fuel mandatory are expected to be in place, introduced by the California Air Resources Board (ARB).
The incentive programme is expected to cost the two ports around $18.5 million and will be a one-year program starting July 1 and expiring June 30, 2009 - unless extended by the two commissions.
"This programme will incentivize our customers to start the process of switching over to low-sulphur fuel well ahead of future state emissions rules," said Los Angeles port Executive Director Dr. Geraldine Knatz.
To qualify for the incentive scheme, the ships must also participate in the ports' voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction Program, limiting speeds to 12 knots.
"We've proved that incentives work: Our Green Flag Program, which gives incentives for vessel speed reduction, has achieved more than 90 percent compliance," said Long Beach port Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. "I'm confident that the low-sulphur fuel incentives, with the two ports and maritime industry all working together, will see amazing results."
Industry stakeholders were already giving their support to the incentive scheme.
"This programme represents another important step in a continuing process toward improving the air quality of Southern California," said John McLaurin, President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA). "We hope that this incentive-based approach serves as a model for future endeavors toward this goal of overall emission reductions."
The PMSA has been critical of the rules imposed by ARB on auxiliary engines and has questioned the agency's authority to make regulations at the state level without federal approval through legal appeals against ARB's regulations.
Further support was also given yesterday to the work between PMSA and the two port authorities on this programme.
"The public/private partnership formed between PMSA and the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles provides the groundwork in reducing emissions at the ports," said Sean Connaughton, Administrator of the Maritime Administration, United States Department of Transportation. "The collaborative approach found in this incentive program marks a milestone in making California greener."
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| New incentives to switch, Los Angeles' Dr Knatz saying. |
Under the scheme, the two port authorities will subsidise shipowners to use distillate fuel instead of fuel oil bunkers in the main engines of their ships.
Sulphur oxides (SOx) will be cut by as much as 11% and particulate matter (PM) by 9%, according to their figures.
"Ships are the No. 1 pollution source here at the ports and we don't want to keep waiting for state regulations to kick in," said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Mario Cordero.
Next year, regulations making distillate fuel mandatory are expected to be in place, introduced by the California Air Resources Board (ARB).
The incentive programme is expected to cost the two ports around $18.5 million and will be a one-year program starting July 1 and expiring June 30, 2009 - unless extended by the two commissions.
"This programme will incentivize our customers to start the process of switching over to low-sulphur fuel well ahead of future state emissions rules," said Los Angeles port Executive Director Dr. Geraldine Knatz.
To qualify for the incentive scheme, the ships must also participate in the ports' voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction Program, limiting speeds to 12 knots.
"We've proved that incentives work: Our Green Flag Program, which gives incentives for vessel speed reduction, has achieved more than 90 percent compliance," said Long Beach port Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. "I'm confident that the low-sulphur fuel incentives, with the two ports and maritime industry all working together, will see amazing results."
Industry stakeholders were already giving their support to the incentive scheme.
"This programme represents another important step in a continuing process toward improving the air quality of Southern California," said John McLaurin, President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA). "We hope that this incentive-based approach serves as a model for future endeavors toward this goal of overall emission reductions."
The PMSA has been critical of the rules imposed by ARB on auxiliary engines and has questioned the agency's authority to make regulations at the state level without federal approval through legal appeals against ARB's regulations.
Further support was also given yesterday to the work between PMSA and the two port authorities on this programme.
"The public/private partnership formed between PMSA and the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles provides the groundwork in reducing emissions at the ports," said Sean Connaughton, Administrator of the Maritime Administration, United States Department of Transportation. "The collaborative approach found in this incentive program marks a milestone in making California greener."
Guy Wilson-Roberts | Tue Mar 25 16:29 GMT 2008