ARB Issues Advisory on California's Updated At Berth Regulation Implementation

ARB has issued an advisory to inform of its plans for enforcement of the updated At Berth Regulation.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has issued an advisory to inform fleet and terminal operators of its plans for implementation of updates to the Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Auxiliary Diesel Engines Operated on Ocean Going Vessels At-Berth in a California Port (At Berth Regulation), which will come into effect January 1, 2017.

As Ship & Bunker has reported, from January 1, vessels will be required to use shore power and reduce emissions by 70 percent while at berth at a California port - an increase from the current required reduction of 50 percent.

"Fleets can comply through one of two paths: the Reduced Onboard Power Generation Option (that relies on use of shore-based electrical power), or the alternative Equivalent Emissions Reduction Option," explained ARB.

For fleets complying under the Reduced Onboard Power Generation Option, ARB says that at least 70 percent of a fleet's visits to a California port must see that auxiliary engines on the vessel do not operate for more than three hours during the entire time the vessel is at-berth, and that the fleet's total onboard auxiliary engine power generation is reduced by at least 70 percent of the fleet's baseline power generation.

For those complying under the Equivalent Emission Reduction Option, fleets must reduce NOx and PM by at least 70 percent by way of ARB-approved technology.

"ARB understands it may not be possible for regulated entities to satisfy certain provisions in the Regulation under certain circumstances," said ARB.

"As a result, ARB will offer six possible scenarios, which may apply on a case-by- case basis, with the objective of providing flexibility to fleets that have equipped their vessels to use shore power or contracted to use an alternative control technology to comply with the At-Berth Regulation."

ARB further notes that, effective January 1, 2020, an increased reduction of 80 percent will be required under the regulation.

In April, Ship & Bunker reported that ARB had determined that the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA) alone is not currently likely achieve sufficient emission reductions within Regulated California Waters, and as such, the California Ocean-Going Vessel (OGV) Fuel Regulation would remain in place for at least another two years.