I heard on the news this morning that California has just started enforcing emissions for Cargo Ships, requiring them to install expensive filters and scrubbers to their diesel engines to remove at least 75% of “particulates” if they want to pull into LA/LB harbor. were talking millions of dollars per ship. Couple that with new diesel truck requirements and, well, I expect the harbor to be closed by this time next year.
And it should,
were all moving to Galts Gulch soon
Interesting post. There’s a history behind the clean-air regulations at LA/LB. Extensive health and environmental studies done over the years have made a strong case that from an economic standpoint the port is a losing proposition. This is mainly because the vast majority of the cargo that moves through the port is going elsewhere — which means the Los Angeles area bears the burden of all those air quality problems without getting enough of a benefit to make it worthwhile.
I didn’t know that Long Beach was enforcing those emissions laws, but I did know that San Francisco is. They carry fines of $49,000 per day. It is going to restrict much of the China trade from coming into California, because of the cost of the retro-fit. That’s only a part of it, however. It is also going to restrict the amount of crude coming into California because there are many tanker companies left and they are not going to retrofit all their ships to meet California standards.
One tanker that is being retrofitted for this is in Singapore shipyard. Not a good situation. There will be a big delay that could disrupt CA oil supplies in the next year.