The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will hold a virtual meeting Nov. 17 to gather technical feedback on alternative marine fuels and emissions-reduction technologies as the agency considers new measures to reduce pollution from oceangoing vessels operating in California waters.
The meeting, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to noon Pacific time, will focus on CARB’s Updated Technology Assessment for Ocean-Going Vessels, a 342-page report released in June examining the feasibility, performance and costs of existing and emerging marine technologies.
CARB is seeking input from vessel operators, industry representatives, researchers and other stakeholders on the technologies and alternative fuels currently under consideration, their future development and research gaps that could influence regulatory decisions.
The agency is exploring both regulatory and voluntary measures to reduce emissions from oceangoing vessels while transiting, maneuvering and anchoring in California waters. The effort would expand California’s existing efforts to regulate emissions from oceangoing vessels, including requirements governing fuel use and emissions while ships are at berth.
The technology assessment examines a range of alternative fuels, including LNG, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen, along with emissions-control technologies and other strategies. It evaluates greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, technological readiness, infrastructure requirements and economic feasibility.
The report notes that “the transition to cleaner fuels in the maritime sector is already underway,” but cautions that “there is no ‘silver bullet’ fuel or strategy to reduce emissions from OGV [oceangoing vessels], and a wide portfolio of options are being considered and pursued in the maritime industry.”
CARB is also expected to discuss findings from a stakeholder survey initiated following a February workshop on the proposed in-transit regulation.
The Nov. 17 meeting will be held online via Zoom. Participants can register here. Additional information is available on CARB’s OGV In-Transit Regulation website or by contacting [email protected].
