CARB to Further Curb Exhaust Emissions from Ships in Californian Ports

Update 15 February 2023

The California Air Resources Board At-Berth Regulation has begun phasing in emission controls as of 1 January 2023.

Classification society ABS has issued an update on the regulation, advising that from 1 January 2023:

1. All ocean-going vessels must meet the CARB reporting and opacity requirements.
2. Container, reefer and passenger vessels must use a CARB Approved Emission Control Strategy (CAECS) while at berth in California ports (this will also apply to tankers that visit the Ports of Los Angeles or Long Beach as of 1 January 2025, and all tankers visiting any California port as of 1 January 2027).

Read the ABS guidance here.

Update 3 September 2020

The rule builds on the existing At-Berth Regulation (ABR), which we reported on here. It adds new vessel categories which will be required to control pollution when in port.

Vessels covered under the existing regulation include container ships, reefer ships (refrigerated cargo vessels) and cruise ships. The updated regulation adds vehicle carriers and tankers.

The updated regulation starts in 2023, when container, reefer and cruise vessels – already included under the existing rule – will transition to the new regulation. Vehicle carriers will need to comply starting in 2025. Tankers docking at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach must also comply starting in 2025, while tankers in Northern California have until 2027.

The rule requires that every vessel coming into a regulated California port either use shore power or a CARB-approved control technology to reduce harmful emissions, such as applying ‘capture-and-control’ techniques on the vessel’s exhaust emissions.

Thanks to Murphy, Rogers, Sloss, Gambel & Tompkins of New Orleans.