The Port of Charleston is on target to meet its commitment to reducing port pollution.

"Nearly all of the seven tenants have already made the switch and we are confident that all fuel will be ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) by September," Byron Miller, director of communications for the port, told Bunkerworld.

This follows the announcement in March that all terminal and port equipment will switch to ultra-low sulphur - almost two years before it is required by federal regulations.

"The particulate matter reduction for ultra-low sulphur diesel has been estimated at 10%," added Miller.

The authority entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the state's Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), outlining its intentions to reduce port pollution.

This includes air pollution from ship-related emissions and the authority is working with DHEC staff to evaluate possible options that are both environmentally beneficial and financially viable.

One of the proposals still being considered is to introduce cold ironing to reduce emissions from ships at berth.

"Last fall the Ports Authority hosted three dozen global shipping executives who are working to establish standards for shore power for ships, allowing vessels to plug up while at dock," said Bernard S. Groseclose, Jr.President and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA).

"These efforts, and many others, demonstrate the Ports Authority’s commitment to address not only impacts from the new Navy Base terminal, but from existing terminals as well."

Groseclose added that the port is supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s sweeping changes to vessel emissions standards.

The Ports Authority has commissioned the first port air emissions inventory in the South Atlantic, which will be available later this year. The results of this work will help identify areas for further improvement.

Funding has also been agreed for a new special purpose air monitoring station in the area around the new terminal at the former Navy Base.