Welcome from the Executive Director Commission LA Waterfront Stay Connected with the Port on Facebook Twitter and eAlerts
Follow the Port on Facebook Follow the Port on TwittereAlertsLAtitude
 

Ocean-Going Vessel Emission Reduction

Low-Sulfur Fuel Incentive Program
Approved March 24, 2008

The Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor Commissions approved an incentive program 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-sulfur 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 ocean-going vessels the single largest source of air pollution at the two ports.

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 July 1 and expire June 30, 2009, unless extended by the two commissions.

On July 1, 2009, a pending California Air Resources Board regulation would require the use of low-sulfur fuel in cargo vessels’ main propulsion engines within 24 nautical miles of the state’s coast. The ports’ Clean Air Action Plan also calls for the ports to accelerate ship-emission reductions by including lease-based limits on sulfur content in fuel. This is still planned. The incentive program is aimed at reducing more emissions on an even faster schedule.

For more information on program enrollment, please click here to visit the Clean Air Action Plan website.

Ocean-Going Vessel Emission Reduction Program References Date Released
San Pedro Bay Ports Vessel Fuel Incentive Program Workshop May 2008
Workshop Presentation on the Vessel Main Engine Fuel Incentive Program May 2008
Workshop Presentation on the Low Sulfur Fuel Availability Study May 2008
Workshop MAN B&W Presentation May 2008
Workshop Wartsila Presentation May 2008
Low-Sulfur Marine Fuel Availability Study April 2008

Vessel Speed Reduction Program

The objective of the Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Program is to reduce NOx emissions from ocean-going vessels by slowing their speeds as they approach or depart the Port, generally at 20 nautical miles from Point Fermin.

A voluntary VSR Program was established in 2001 with the signing of a cooperative Memorandum of Understanding among the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Steamship Association of Southern California and Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. The Marine Exchange of Southern California supplies both ports with vessel speed data. Since the establishment of the VSR program in 2001, the compliance rate has steadily increased each year.

In November of 2006, the Los Angeles and Long Beach Boards of Harbor Commissioners adopted the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP). The VSR Program is one of the control measures identified in the CAAP. The measure sets a standard for 100 percent of ocean-going vessels to decrease their speeds to 40 nautical miles from Point Fermin.

Click here to view the Vessel Speed Reduction Incentive Program Guidelines.

Click here to view the latest Vessel Speed Reduction Program compliance data.