Ship Speed Reduction Lowers California Coastal Air Pollution Numbers
Ship Speed Reduction Lowers California Coastal Air Pollution Numbers gCaptain
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Environmental Benefits of Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program
Introduction
The Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (PBWBS) vessel speed reduction (VSR) program recently announced its results from 2023. The program, which aims to reduce coastal California air pollution, lower the risk to whales, and reduce ocean noise, ran from May 1 to December 15, 2023.
Participation and Cooperation
A total of thirty-three global shipping companies participated in the voluntary incentive-based VSR program in 2023. These companies reduced their ship speeds to 10 knots or less in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay region as well as the Southern California region. The program saw the highest levels of participation and cooperation since its inception in 2014, even after phasing out financial incentives. Shipping companies that demonstrated exceptional performance were recognized with awards.
Environmental Impact
- Shipping companies participating in the program reduced their air pollutant emissions by approximately 1,250 tons of NOx (nitrogen oxides) and 45,000 metric tons of regional GHGs (greenhouse gases). This represents a 27% reduction in NOx and GHG pollution compared to the 2016 baseline conditions. To put this into perspective, the NOx reductions are equivalent to converting 800,000 passenger vehicles to zero emissions for a single year.
- The transits of vessels participating in the program posed approximately 58% less strike mortality risk to whales compared to vessels that did not reduce their speed.
- Ships in the qualifying performance tiers had sound levels that were 5.4 dB per transit lower compared to 2016 baseline source levels. This reduction in noise pollution allows whales to communicate more easily.
- Of the 462,500 nautical miles of ocean transited by all the ships in the program, nearly 375,437 nautical miles were at 10 knots or less, which is equivalent to traversing the circumference of the Earth more than 15 times.
- Ships in the program transiting the 200-nautical-mile VSR zone in Southern California traveled at 10 knots or less for 83% of the total miles traveled. In the San Francisco Bay Area VSR zone, cooperation levels from participating companies rose to 76%.
Performance Measurement Tiers
The PBWBS program recognized cooperating shipping companies in three performance measurement tiers: Sapphire (85-100% of fleet total distance in VSR zones traveled at 10 knots or less), Gold (60%-84%), and Blue Sky (35%-59%). The performance of each company was determined based on Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder data, which includes ship speed and location.
Participating Companies
Thirteen companies reached the Sapphire level, the highest tier in the program. These companies are CMA CGM, CSL Group, D’Amico Tankers DAC, Hapag-Lloyd, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), NingBo Ocean Shipping Co, NYK Ro-Ro, Ocean Network Express (ONE), Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), OSG Ship Management, Swire Shipping, Yang Ming, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
Program Eligibility
Container, car carrier, bulk, and fuel carrier ships are eligible to participate in the PBWBS program. The program complements voluntary requests by NOAA, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Environmental Protection Agency for all vessels 300 gross tons or larger to reduce speeds during months of peak air pollution and when endangered blue, humpback, and fin whales are present to protect them from ship strikes.
Importance of Protecting Whales
Ship strikes pose a significant threat to whales globally and to the recovery of endangered and threatened blue, fin, and humpback whales in California waters. Reducing the risk of ship strikes is a high priority for NOAA’s West Coast national marine sanctuaries. From 2007-2022, a total of 52 endangered whales were observed and documented as deaths off the coast of California, which is believed to represent only a fraction of the actual number of ship strikes that occur annually.
Program Impact on Air Pollution
The timing of the PBWBS program coincides with the season when ground-level ozone (smog) concentrations are typically high. By reducing ship speeds to 10 knots or less, ships can travel safely and efficiently while using less fuel and producing fewer pollutants and regional greenhouse gas emissions. The program for 2024 will run from May to December 2024.
About Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies
The Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program is a collaborative effort by several air pollution control districts, national marine sanctuaries in California, the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and other non-profit organizations. Its goal is to promote safer whales, cleaner air, and a quieter ocean.
Conclusion
The PBWBS program has demonstrated significant environmental benefits, including reduced air pollution, lower risk to whales, and decreased ocean noise. The program’s success in 2023 highlights the increasing commitment of participating shipping companies to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). For more information about the program, visit www.bluewhalesblueskies.org.
Shipping Companies’ Comments on Participation in Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies
Swire Shipping
Harry Stones, President of Swire Shipping North America: “Swire Shipping recognizes that responsible stewardship of biodiversity is fundamental to a healthy and thriving ocean. We’re proud to translate this commitment into action through our active participation in the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program, which aligns with our values of sustainability and marine conservation.”
OOCL
Michael Xu, Director of Trades at OOCL: “Being awarded the top-level status once again has demonstrated OOCL’s long-term commitment to environmental protection. We believe that all businesses should take responsibility in minimizing their environmental impact, and it is our obligation to protect marine life and reduce emissions.”
MSC
Stanley Kwiaton, Regional Manager, West Coast, Port Operations: “MSC is grateful to once again see our efforts recognized for the sixth year in a row. As a family company that was born from
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
- SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
- SDG 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
- SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Air pollutant emissions reduction (tons of NOx and regional GHGs)
- Reduction in strike mortality risk to whales
- Reduction in noise pollution (sound levels in dB per transit)
- Total nautical miles transited at reduced speeds
- Cooperation rate of participating companies
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters | Air pollutant emissions reduction (tons of NOx and regional GHGs) |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution | Total nautical miles transited at reduced speeds |
| 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans | Reduction in strike mortality risk to whales | |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | Reduction in noise pollution (sound levels in dB per transit) |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: gcaptain.com
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