CARB to further curb exhaust emissions from ships in Californian ports
The California Air Resources Board has announced it will update its regulation on reducing pollution from ocean-going vessels while docked at California’s busiest ports.
The rule builds on the existing At-Berth Regulation (ABR). It adds new vessel categories which will be required to control pollution when in port.
Vessels covered under the existing regulation include container ships, reefer ships (refrigerated cargo vessels) and cruise ships. The updated regulation adds vehicle carriers and tankers.
The updated regulation starts in 2023, when container, reefer and cruise vessels – already included under the existing rule – will transition to the new regulation. Vehicle carriers will need to comply starting in 2025. Tankers docking at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach must also comply starting in 2025, while tankers in Northern California have until 2027.
The rule requires that every vessel coming into a regulated California port either use shore power or a CARB-approved control technology to reduce harmful emissions, such as applying ‘capture-and-control’ techniques on the vessel’s exhaust emissions.
Source: North P&I
