Americas News
Emissions Fall at Port of Charleston
The U.S. Port of Charleston in South Carolina says it reduced emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) by 51 percent, and dropped nitrogen oxide (Nox) and hydrocarbon (HC) pollution by more than a quarter between 2005 and 2011, but the reduction did not come from vessels that called at the port.
"Our voluntary air quality commitments include tracking and sharing progress over time," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA).
"More recent efforts, including new international fuel standards as well as efforts by the maritime community mean that our air quality continues to show improvement."
A report on the port's performance found the improvement over the five-year period mostly reflected lower emissions from cargo-handling equipment and trucks, but most types of pollution from ocean-going vessels and tugboats rose.
Because of new emissions control rules, the port estimates that emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) will drop by about 60 percent for 2013 compared with 2011, and by 80 percent in 2015 compared with 2011.
The port said total vessel counts were down in 2011 compared with 2005, but the average engine size for ships calling at Charleston was up more than 45 percent, reflecting the industry-wide trend toward larger vessels.
Newsome said in October that the port's relatively deep channel gives it a competitive advantage in attracting large new ships.
