Top Priority: Clean Air

The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach approved and adopted the San Pedro Bay Ports’ Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) at Joint Meeting of the Ports’ Boards on 22 November 2006. The pollutants that were targeted comprised: Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulfur Oxides (SOx). Sources of emissions were identified as: ocean going vessels, heavy duty vehicles, cargo handling equipment, harbour craft and rail locomotives The two Ports’ contribution to emissions are shown in Figure 1. By the 5th year of the project’s period, the aim is to reduce DPM by 1126 tons per year, NOx by 12,048 tons per year and SOx by 2209 tons per year. See Table 1.

Table 1: Clean Air Action Plan: Emissions Reductions

Vessel Speed Reduction

One of the core elements of the CAAP is the Port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Program (VSR). This program was started in 2001 (pre CAAP) and was a voluntary program at both of the two San Pedro Bay Ports, whereby speed was reduced to 12 knots within 20 nautical miles of Pt. Fermin (see Figure 2). The average container ship speed is between 18 and 25 knots. Under the VSR scheme, the vessel slows its speed to 12 knots. Reduced speed means reduced engine load, so that a ship at 24 knots which reduces its speed to 12 knots reduces main engine load factor from approx 80% to 10% The effects of main engine load reduction include a reduction of NOx, SOx and PM emissions. In addition, GHG (CO2) emissions are reduced by 34 tonnes per visit, or 106,600 tonnes annually The fuel use is reduced by 8.7 tonnes per visit or 27,150 tonnes annually. Current Compliance (2007) is between 85% and 90% at both Ports The VSR is a voluntary program, but there are benefits in terms of recognition (flag, certificates) and also financial incentives. The Port of Long Beach’s voluntary program, started in 2006, while the Port of Los Angeles’ voluntary program began in the 2nd Quarter of 2008 One of the main issues relates to the time penalty that is incurred, ranging from about 50 minutes when vessels reduce their speeds within 20 NM and up to two hours when the speed is reduced from 40 NM

Vessels switch to low-sulphur fuel

A further initiative to improve air quality relates to the fuels being used by vessels calling at the San Pedro Bay ports.. Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor Commissioners recently approved an incentive programme aimed at accelerating cargo vessel operators’ use of cleaner-burning fuel when transiting within 40 miles of San Pedro Bay and at berth in either port. As part of the program – which will improve air quality by reducing toxic ship emissions – the ports will earmark millions of dollars to pay vessel operators to use cleaner-burning, low-sulphur fuel in their main propulsion engines. Sulfur oxides, which contribute to the formation of health-threatening soot or particulate matter, will be cut by as much as 11 percent and particulate matter by 9 percent, accelerating air-quality improvements ahead of an already aggressive schedule set by the landmark San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan.

Cargo ships now generally use highly polluting bunker fuel, which generates the majority of sulfur oxide emissions in Southern California and makes oceangoing vessels the single largest source of air pollution at the two ports. “At the Port of Long Beach we’ve proved that incentives work: Our Green Flag Program, which gives incentives for vessel speed reduction, has achieved more than 90 percent compliance,” says Port of Long Beach Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. “I’m confident that the low-sulfur fuel incentives, with the two ports and maritime industry all working together, will see amazing results.” Under the program, the ports will pay the difference between the price of bunker fuel and more costly low-sulfur distillate fuel for vessel operators who make the fuel switch within at least 20 miles – and as far as 40 miles – from the ports. Vessels also will be required to use low-sulfur fuel in their auxiliary engines while at berth in the port complex. To qualify for the incentive program, the ships must participate in the ports’ voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction Program, limiting speeds to 12 knots during the switch to low-sulfur fuel. Most ships already participate in the speed reduction program, which also curbs emissions. The incentive program is expected to cost the Port of Los Angeles as much as $8.6 million and the Port of Long Beach as much as $9.9 million annually. The one year program will begin 1 July 2008 and expire on 30 June 2009, unless extended by the two commissions.

Clean Truck Programme

The Clean Truck Programme (CTP) is the other initiative Port of Los Angeles recently approved. The Port’s CTP is designed to encourage an evolution of the Port drayage market towards an asset-based system in which Licensed Motor Carriers (LMCs) enter into drayage concession agreements with the Port and are responsible for owning and maintaining the truck assets used to perform drayage services at the Port under the concession. Port of Los Angeles drayage concessionaires must also commit to using employee drivers for Port drayage by year 2012 through a phased-in schedule, with flexibility afforded for peaks and troughs in demand by use of temporary or part-time employees. In November 2007, the Los Angeles and Long Beach Boards of Harbor Commissioners approved a progressive dirty truck ban schedule which begins October 1, 2008 by prohibiting all pre-1989 trucks from working in port drayage. By January 1, 2012, all drayage trucks operating in the port complex will be required to meet 2007 federal emission standards, which will reduce port related truck pollution by an estimated 80 percent. In December 2007, both port commissions approved cargo fee tariffs to accelerate the replacement of the existing truck fleet by assessing a $35 gate fee per twenty-foot container unit (TEU) to generate funds to help underwrite the replacement of the existing truck fleet.

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