Basic Information:
Project Name: Vessel Speed Reduction
Lead Organization: Port of Longbeach / Port of Los Angeles
Contact Person: Carter Atkins
Contact Information:
email: catkins@portla.org
Address:
Phone Number: (310) 732-7649
Project Basics:
Type of Project: Ocean-Going Vessel (OGV)
Project Partners: Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), California Air Resources Board (CARB), Pacific Merchants Shippers Association (PMSA), Maritime Exchange of Southern CA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Project Timeframe:
Beginning mm/yyyy: 05/2001
Ending mm/yyyy: OnGoing
Expected Project Cost:
Project Specifics:
Specific Project Goals, Motivations:
Ocean-going vessel speed reductions offer the possibility for significant reductions in emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulfur (SOx), diesel particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide (CO2). A VSR program is an important element in improving air quality along coastline communities and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Regulatory Drivers: current /Impending:
Funding Sources:
Project Synopsis:
The voluntary speed reduction program asks that vessels entering or leaving the Port observe a 12-knot speed limit in a zone that extends 20 nautical miles seaward. This distance was extended to 40 nm in 2008. The speed of every vessel in the speed reduction zone is measured and recorded by the Marine Exchange of Southern California. The goal of the program is to have 100% of ships participate.
Project Details:
In May 2001, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (POLA/POLB), the United States Environmental Protection Agency - Region 9, ARB, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the Pacific Merchants Shipping Association, and the Marine Exchange of Southern California was signed (it was later extended through 2004). This MOU specifically requests OGVs to voluntarily reduce their speed to 12 knots at a distance of 20 nautical miles from the POLA/POLB. In doing so, significant reductions in NOx emissions would occur and help meet the goals of the 1994 ozone State Implementation Plan and 1997 South Coast Air Quality Management Plan.
The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have each committed as much as $2.2 million a year in dockage fee rebates to encourage participation in the Voluntary Vessel Ship Speed Reduction Program, which urges vessels to travel at or below 12 knots. Green Flag Incentives, rewards vessel operators with environmental recognition and lower dockage fees Vessels that dock at the Port of Long Beach earn a Green Flag environmental achievement award when they attain 100% compliance with the voluntary vessel speed reduction program for a 12-month period. Carriers that achieve a 90% compliance rate in a 12-month period (measurements began in January 2006), will be eligible for a 15% reduction in dockage otherwise payable to the Port (Green Rate) in the following year. Operators whose fleets were 90% compliant in 2006 are currently enjoying reduced dockage in 2007. The Port of Los Angeles will adopt a similar program to the Port of Long Beach's successful Green Flag Program (compliance rate 87% as of August 2006) to help achieve defined VSR goals.
Parallel to this voluntary strategy, lease requirements will be established and include compliance rates with the VSR program. The Ports will also evaluate the potential of incorporating a requirement to participate in the VSR program as part of the tariff. Both the lease requirements and tariff strategies would be enforceable measures. Shipping lines that can demonstrate alternative compliance plans (using controls surplus to the Clean Air Action Plan) that meet or exceed the emissions reductions from VSR at 12 knots will be able to petition to the Ports for changes for specified vessels.
Relationships to Existing Programs:
Vessel Speed Reduction is one measure of many contained in the joint Port of Los Angeles/Port of Long Beach Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP).
Known or Projected Challenges, Concerns:
Lessons Learned, What Worked, etc.: