New compliance requirements for the At Berth Regulation in California went into effect on January 1, 2023, reports UK P&I.
The goal of the Ocean-Going Vessels At Berth Regulation is to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from ocean-going vessels auxiliary engines while they are docked at California ports.
At-Berth Regulation
The original Ocean-Going Vessel At-Berth Regulation was approved in December 2007 with compliance requirements that began in 2014. The 2007 At-Berth Regulation affects the following three vessel categories: container ships, passenger ships, and refrigerated-cargo ships at six California ports:
- Los Angeles
- Long Beach
- Oakland
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Hueneme
Compliance requirements for vessels include visit requirements and emission or power reduction requirements both which were phased in over time to the current 80% reduction requirement.
Public health protection
California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) State Implementation Plan, AB 617, California Climate Change Scoping Plan, Mobile Source Strategy, and California Sustainable Freight Action Plan (Executive Order B-32-15) include commitments to evaluate the existing 2007 At-Berth Regulation for opportunities to further reduce emissions from vessels.
These actions include developing a new At-Berth Regulation to achieve further emission reductions by including smaller fleets, additional vessel types (such as roll-on/roll-off vehicle carriers and tankers), and additional operations.
The new regulatory efforts will help achieve much needed public health protection for Californians living nearby port communities, reduce exposure to toxic air emissions in disadvantaged communities and meet 2023 and 2031 emission reduction goals for NOx.
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Source: UK P&I
