LA, LB ports seeking port pollution reduction proposals

The San Pedro Bay seaports are seeking proposals under their joint Technology Advancement Program, which offers $1 million to fund demonstrations of one or more cost-effective technologies that can eliminate at-berth emissions from ships.    The San Pedro Bay ports are soliciting proposals for new technology to reduce at-berth emissions for non-container vessels, such as tankers, vehicle carriers, bulk and general cargo ships.
   The Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles announced Dec. 6 that they’re seeking proposals under their joint Technology Advancement Program, which offers $1 million ($500,000 from each port) to fund demonstrations of one or more cost-effective technologies that can eliminate at-berth emissions from ships, but don’t fall under California’s shore power mandate.
   Up to now, the ports say they’ve already invested nearly $400 million in dockside power hookups and other infrastructure to facilitate shore power, which can greatly curtail at-berth air pollution from large container ships, which are the leading source of port-related emissions.
   Cutting pollution from vessels is a key strategy in the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, an effort aimed at reducing health risks. Since its adoption in 2006, the ports say the CAAP has helped reduce diesel particulate matter up to 88 percent, sulfur oxides by 97 percent, nitrogen oxides by 56 percent and greenhouse gases 22 percent.
   An update to the CAAP that was approved earlier this year calls for up to a 100 percent reduction in at-berth emissions from container and non-container vessels by 2030.
   As part of that effort, the ports are seeking request for emissions reduction proposals. Proposers must provide at least a 50 percent match to the project cost. Proposals are due by Tues., Feb. 27, 2018. The RFP is available for download as a PDF on the Clean Air Action Plan website.