Emissions Reduction

Open Solicitation, Prop 1B Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has announced an open solicitation period for the Proposition 1B Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program Ships at Berth and Cargo Handling Equipment funding category. See the Program website (http://www.arb.ca.gov/gmbond) for more information. The $1b Proposition 1B:  Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program (Program) is a partnership between the State Air Resources Board (ARB) and local agencies (like air districts and seaports) to quickly reduce air pollution emissions and health risk from freight movement along California's trade corridors.  Local agencies apply to ARB for funding, then those agencies offer financial incentives to owners of equipment used in freight movement to upgrade to cleaner technologies.  Projects funded under this Program must achieve early or extra emission reductions not otherwise required by law or regulation.

Fleet Emission Credit Applications Available

Application forms for fleet emission credits (FEC) as well as a status of the terminal plan submittals are now available on ARB’s Shore Power website.  FEC are only applicable toward compliance with the At-Berth Regulation where fleet operators have chosen the Equivalent Emission Reduction Option—fleets that have chosen the Reduced Onboard Power Generation Option cannot apply for or use FEC. These forms are applicable to two types of emission reductions: 1) Use of either

Bills Introduced on Air Emissions from Ships

Senator Boxer (D-CA) and Representative Solis (D-CA) introduced the Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act of 2007 in companion versions (S. 1499 and H.R. 2548 respectively) to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution from marine vessels. The bills, if enacted into law, would wholly ignore MARPOL Annex VI and impose unilateral standards for sulfur levels in marine fuels and require advanced marine vessel emission controls on new and in-use marine engines.

CSL, WWF-Canada Combat Climate Change

Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) signed a five-year agreement with World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) that aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the CSL fleet, and seeks ongoing solutions for improving the wider marine industry’s ecological footprint. Under the terms of the agreement, CSL will obtain expert advisory services from WWF-Canada as it adopts, develops and promotes energy efficiency and emission reduction initiatives while strengthening its leadership role

CIMAC Circle 2010 at SMM in Hamburg, Germany

Held on 9 September at SMM, more than 150 delegates attended this year's CIMAC Circle, covering the total cost of ownership of marine propulsion engines. Inevitably, the panel of engine builders, engine (vessel) operators and engine system and component makers were strongly influenced by the effects on engine first costs and engine running costs of the upcoming IMO Tier II and Tier III emissions regulations, due in 2011 and 2015 respectively. 

Coalition for Responsible Transportation Honors TOTE

The Coalition for Responsible Transportation (CRT) today commended one of its members, Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE), for becoming the first container shipping line to announce that it is converting its ORCA class vessels to use Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as their primary fuel source.   The conversion will advance the use of alternative fuels technology in container shipping and accelerate the use of natural gas as a cleaner domestic energy source

Ingram Barge Co. Honored for Clean Diesel Technology

Ingram Barge Company received the Southeast Diesel Collaborative “Leadership Award” for its environmental sustainability efforts utilizing advanced clean diesel technology on towboats operating on the inland river system.   Ingram was recognized as a private industry leader in the national effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An award also went to Miami-Dade County, Florida, government in the “community leader” category.  

Steep Increase in Global CO2 Emissions

Global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) – the main cause of global warming – increased by 45% between 1990 and 2010, and reached an all-time high of 33 billion tonnes in 2010. Increased energy efficiency, nuclear energy and the growing contribution of renewable energy are not compensating for the globally increasing demand for power and transport, which is strongest in developing countries. This increase took place despite emission reductions in industrialized countries

Natural Gas Engine Development in China

Guanxi Yuchai Machinery Company developing natural gas-powered engines for multi-purose use China Yuchai International Limited sayst its subsidiary Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited (GYMCL) is developing natural gas-powered engines. The new engines will complement GYMCL's line of diesel engines used in large buses, trucks, power generators and marine engines. The gas-powered engines are being developed in response to government policies encouraging energy conservation and

Classification Societies Establish EU Presence

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) re-opens its Brussels office within the EU maritime community. Representatives from EU Institutions, European and international organisations came to an event organised by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) entitled, "IACS - promoting global cooperation towards safe and environmentally sound shipping".
 The 80 guests included high-level EU Officials from DG MOVE, DG CLIMA, DG ENTR