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March 25, 2008 Logistics Management
The harbor commissioners of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach said they have signed off on an incentive program geared toward spurring the usage of cleaner-burning fuel by cargo vessel operators when transiting within 40...
March 21, 2008 Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Harbor Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a clean air plan requiring shipping companies to buy and maintain a modernized fleet of big rigs and employ thousands of independent truckers who currently...
March 18, 2008 The San Francisco Chronicle
Commissioners of the Port of Oakland will consider a set of goals today that are intended to reduce diesel emissions in West Oakland by 85 percent over the next 12 years.
March 15, 2008 Los Angeles Times
The regulations, which call for up to a 90% soot reduction by 2030, are praised by environmental groups and industry. But a Southland official laments that large marine vessels were not included.
March 11, 2008 Long Beach Press-Telegram
Environmentalists, labor groups, drivers say harbor program unfair. It wasn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last. Local truck drivers, environmentalists and labor groups directed their fury at Mayor Bob Foster at...
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Ports
Diesel and American Ports
Diesels are the driving force for almost all commercial water vessels and port operations. Examples include:
- Large diesel-powered tankers bring natural resource imports into the U.S.
- Diesel helps move American products to our ports and overseas.
- Tugboats tow large barges providing home heating oil during the winter.
- Cruise ships carry vacationers to destinations from Florida to the Caribbean.
Types of Marine Diesels
Marine-based diesels are made up of large low-speed diesels and medium- or high-speed diesels. - Large slow-speed diesels have replaced steam turbines as the engine of choice for large ocean vessels. Slow-speed diesels are two-stroke engines that run at low engine revolutions allowing for direct drive applications to turn propellers.
- Medium- to high-speed diesels constitute the bulk of engines on medium and small vessels, including ferries to tug boats.
Regulations and Standards
Port and vessel operators in the U.S. are regulated by both the Clean Air Act and Annex VI of the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The MARPOL regulation sets limits on nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxide emissions from ship exhausts, and the emission of ozone depleting substances. Additional regulations have been proposed by EPA.
Large manufacturers are already producing and designing engines to meet the strictest of environmental standards for marine vessels and port equipment. A number of clean diesel technologies, including cold-ironing (on-shore electrical plug-ins) and retrofitting yard equipment, are proving to be effective air quality solutions at American ports.
Economic Impact
Some of the largest diesel engines made are used at America’s ports. Roughly 2,000 establishments are engaged in deep water, coastal and inland water transportation – employing 73,000 individuals with a payroll of $2.8 billion.
Water carriers move 563 million tons of freight each year – worth $76 billion. Nearly all of the bulk carriers that transport oil, ore, wheat, and other goods are diesel powered, as are the containerships that transport the majority of all manufactured imports and exports. - Approximately, eight percent of the country's total freight tonnage travels by barge through the 12,000 miles of commercially viable inland channels.
- A total of 650 million tons of freight including, 60 percent of the nation's grain exports, 24 percent of its chemical and petroleum shipments, and 20 percent of its domestic coal are moved through this network all propelled by diesel power.
There are no viable alternative power sources that provide the efficiency, fuel economy and power of diesel engines for these marine-based services.
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