Ports/Authorities

Photo of ship docked at a port.Diesel engines power almost all port activities, from the shipping vessels to cargo-handling equipment to the trains and trucks that move goods in and out of marine terminals. Ports therefore become concentrated sources of diesel emissions. With growth in cruise ship calls, container freight volumes, and land-side businesses such as fish processing, the need to work with port authorities and terminal operators to reduce diesel emissions has never been stronger.

Reducing Diesel Emissions from Port Operations

Regional collaborations between industry and government agencies to reduce emissions from marine vessels and port operations include:

  • The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and its partners developed a Clean Air Strategy for the Port of NY and NJ which lays out actions that the Port and industry stakeholders can take to reduce diesel and greenhouse (GHG) emissions in advance of regulations.
  • At the New York Container Terminal, installing regenerating diesel particulate filters on cargo handling equipment and piloting idle reduction technology on locomotives.
  • At Boston’s MassPort Conley Container Terminal, retrofitting yard and cargo-handling equipment, using ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), systematically acquiring new equipment with maximum-efficiency engines, and providing shore power for fishing vessels.
  • The ports of Boston and New Bedford, Massachusetts and Bridgeport, Connecticut have developed comprehensive sustainability strategies.

NEDC Ports Workgroup

The NEDC Ports Workgroup develops innovative, cost-effective solutions for ports in the Northeast. Workgroup participants include representatives from state air agencies in the Northeast, port authorities, and industry. The group meets regularly by conference call, learns from local and national experts, and visits ports to learn more about their operations, equipment and emissions.

To get involved with the Ports Workgroup, please contact Abby Swaine [swaine.abby@epa.gov].

» Learn more about the NEDC Ports Workgroup

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Federal Regulations

Photo from http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/ndc/veslchar/veslchar.htmEmission Control Area
The United States and Canada proposed an Emission Control Area (ECA) for specific portions of US and Canadian coastal waters, to control nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides (SOX), and particulate matter (PM) emissions from ocean-going ships, most of which are flagged outside of the US. In July 2009, the US received approval of the ECA proposal from the International Maritime Organization, to enter into force in 2012. The ECA would reduce over 300,000 tons of NOx and 900,000 tons of PM2.5 annually. The ECA is expected to save as many as 8,300 lives and provide relief from respiratory symptoms for over three million people each year.

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EPA Ocean-Going Vessel Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
In parallel to the ECA proposal, EPA is developing standards for Category 3 marine diesel engines that are expected to require the application of after-treatment emission controls similar in stringency to the new NOX standards that will be applicable in the ECA for all engines. EPA is also proposing standards for emissions of HC and CO from new Category 3 engines. EPA is not proposing to set a standard for PM emissions for Category 3 engines; however, significant PM emissions benefits will be achieved through the ECA fuel sulfur requirements that will apply to ships operating in areas that affect US air quality.

EPA is also proposing a change to the diesel fuel program that would forbid the production and sale of marine fuel oil above 1,000 ppm sulfur for use in the waters within a US ECA and internal US waters, and allow for the production and sale of 1,000 ppm sulfur fuel for use in Category 3 marine vessels.

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Related Resources

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