cold-ironing for cleaner air
The air around the Port of Oakland is going to get cleaner faster, thanks
to the efforts of global shipping company APL and California’s Bay Area
Air Quality Management District. An $11 million project will reduce
vessel emissions of nitrogen oxides by about 50,000 pounds and eliminate 1,500 pounds of particulate matter annually.
APL received $4.8 million in grants from the air quality management
board to help it retrofit its terminal and ships to begin “cold-ironing” at
the Port of Oakland. Cold-ironing is industry jargon for shutting down
a ship’s diesel generators while at berth and connecting instead to electrical sources located onshore. Doing so enables vessels to maintain
power in port while eliminating exhaust emissions. Regulations mandating cold-ironing in California take effect in 2014.
PHOTO COURTESY OF APL
In December, APL began outfitting five vessels that call regularly in
Oakland for cold-ironing. Later this year, the carrier will electrify its
berths at its Global Gateway Central marine terminal in Oakland. Once
that work is completed, cold-ironing will begin.
According to APL, cold-ironing eliminates an estimated 1,000
pounds of nitrogen oxides emissions, 165 pounds of sulfur oxides, and
30 pounds of particulate matter in a 24-hour port call. The vessels the
company will retrofit make a total of 52 calls to Oakland annually.
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Practical “meat and potatoes” information is on the menu at the
Transportation & Logistics Council’s 2010 Annual Conference, slated
for April 19–21 in San Diego. The event promises to provide attendees
with the kind of real-world information found in the group’s practical
handbooks, which include Shipping and Receiving in Plain English,
Transportation Insurance in Plain English, and Freight Claims in Plain
English.
The conference agenda includes expert-led sessions on such topics as
importing and exporting, risk management and insurance, and protecting pharmaceutical shipments as well as workshops on law, insurance, contracts, and claims. Two discussion panels featuring well-known transportation attorneys will highlight recent cases and upcoming legislation affecting shippers, carriers, and third parties. Optional
day-long workshops on transportation and logistics law, contracts, and
freight claims will also be offered.
For more information about the conference, go to www.tlcouncil.org.
Diane Smid ( diane@transportlaw.com) can answer questions. ;
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