25/02/11
California aims to expand alternative bunkers
California aims to expand alternative bunkers
New York, 11 February (Argus) — California lawmakers will consider expanding
alternative marine fuels use by ocean-going vessels on the state's coast. State
senate bill 298, introduced by state senator Anna Caballero (D), would require
the California State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission
(Energy Commission), the California Transportation Agency and the state board to
develop a plan by 31 December 2030 for the use and deployment of alternative
fuels at California's public seaports. The plan should identify significant
alternative fuel infrastructure and equipment trends, needs, and issues and
describe how the state will facilitate permitting and construction of
infrastructure to support alternative fuels. The plan should also identify
locations for alternative fuel infrastructure, provide a reasonable timeline for
its installment and estimate the costs, including public or private financing
opportunities. The bill also calls for the Energy Commission to convene a
working group consisting of representatives of seaports, marine terminal
operators, ocean carriers, waterfront labor, cargo owners, environmental and
community advocacy groups, the Transportation Agency, the state board, the
Public Utilities Commission, and air quality management and air pollution
control districts. The working group will advise the commission. The US
territorial waters, including California's, are designated as emission control
areas (ECAs). In the ECAs, the sulphur content of marine fuel burned by
ocean-going vessels is capped at 0.1pc. Thus ocean-going vessels within 24
nautical miles of California burn 0.1pc sulphur maximum marine gasoil (MGO).
Ocean-going vessels could achieve the equivalent of 0.1pc sulphur marine fuel
emissions by installing marine exhaust scrubbers. But California has banned
their use. California is the only US state that has banned the outright use of
marine scrubbers. California also requires that ocean-going vessels while at
berth in California ports must either use shore power or use alternative
technology such as batteries. The regulation came into force for container
ships, reefers and cruise ships in 2023. It came into force this January for
tankers visiting Los Angeles and Long beach and for roll on roll off vessels.
Starting on 1 January 2027, it will apply to all tankers at berth in all
California's ports. US harbor craft vessels (such as barges, commercial fishing
vessels, excursion vessels, dredgers, pilot vessels, tugboats and workboats) in
California's waters are required to burn renewable diesel (R99 or R100). By
comparison, elsewhere in the US, harbor craft vessels are required to burn
ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD). In January, Los Angeles ULSD averaged at $773/t
and R99 at $962/t. By Stefka Wechsler Send comments and request more information
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