Americas News
Latest California Port Starts Cold Ironing
The Port of Hueneme says it is the latest California port to start providing shore power to vessels at berth.
The port plugged in its first ship, Hamburg Süd's M/V Cap Pasley, for its first operational and safety vessel test.
"We take action and make environmental sustainability a top priority in our business plan to ensure we improve the quality of life and bring prosperity to the communities we serve," said Port Commission President Mary Anne Rooney.
"This project represents perhaps the single largest reduction in air emissions by one project in the history of the county."
A new state law that took effect this year requires refrigerated cargo (reefer) vessels to use shore power to reduce emissions while calling at California ports.
"It's a major investment by both parties, with returns that will continue visit after visit," said Hamburg Süd, Senior Vice President Mike Wilson.
"Hamburg Süd has mounted a major effort to minimise our environmental impact, with fuel efficiency and energy saving measures that are achieving significant emission reductions."
Port CEO Kristin Decas said the project has a 30-year lifetime, during which it will reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions from reefer vessels by 92 percent, nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 98 percent, and greenhouse gasses by 55 percent.
The Port of San Diego announced in February that its cold ironing shore power system for reefer ships was up and running.
