Regulation costs rise at Hueneme port

A state mandate requires ports to build land based power systems to reduce pollution. The systems are being developed to comply with new regulations which require ships to connect to equipment at the shore when berthed to turn off engines, resulting in fewer emissions.

The Port of Hueneme originally estimated the systems, which must be in place by 2014, to cost US$9m. However, costs have risen significantly to an estimated US$11.4m. It is thought that costs have risen because the design of the systems has changed to accommodate vessels. The original design resulted in vessels needing separate retrofits to allow them to plug in at the Port of Hueneme which wouldn’t be needed at other Californian ports such as Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Betina Schmock, executive aide, Port of Hueneme, told GeenPort: “Over the lifetime of this project (30 years), annual emissions from refrigerated cargo vessels will be reduced as follows: carbon monoxide by 9.53 tonnes, NOx by 151.08 tonnes and hydrocarbon by 5.24 tonnes. The use of shore side power will also reduce the use of marine diesel oil (MDO) fuels to operate these vessels’ refrigeration and hoteling systems while at berth and would conserve approximately 290,395 gallons of diesel fuel per year.”

A total of US$6.7m has already been secured for funding. Several companies are already working on the project. Construction, which is expected to cost US$4.7m, goes out to tender this week.