Grant projects, workshop advance maritime air quality

The Port of Seattle announced today that it will retrofit cargo handling machines on Harbor Island with diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) in order to help reduce air emissions in the harbor. The Port is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and its largest marine terminal operator on this and other initiatives to help reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality in the Seattle area.

By next March, the Port expects to retrofit 54 cargo handling machines at Terminal 18 with diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs), which reduce several types of emissions. Terminal 18 is leased and operated by Seattle-based SSAT, which also owns the equipment to be retrofitted and will cover the labor costs associated with the retrofits.

"This program will give us cleaner air and help the region remain in compliance with federal air quality standards," said Port of Seattle Commission President Bob Edwards. "It's something we're eager to do and we're pleased that the EPA, the Clean Air Agency and our customer are working cooperatively with us to take this important step."

The DOCs will reduce emissions of particulate matter by 20 to 26 percent, carbon monoxide by 38 to 40 percent and hydrocarbons by 49 to 50 percent.

The funding to conduct the retrofits comes from the Port ($40,000), the EPA ($35,000) and the Clean Air Agency ($30,000).

Another cooperative maritime air quality project funded by the Port, the EPA and the Clean Air Agency is the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory. The inventory will collect information on the kind, quantity, and origins of emissions released from maritime sources.

As understanding of maritime-related emissions improves, the maritime industry will be able to design and implement cost-effective, fact-based air pollution control strategies. The inventory will be completed by the end of 2006. It is funded by a $100,000 grant from EPA and $310,000 in matching funds from other participants. For more information visit the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum Web site at www.maritimeairforum.org.

"The Port's maritime cargo and fishing businesses are growing rapidly and we have strong partnerships with industry and regulators to address environmental concerns that result from more vessel activity," Edwards said. "These air quality measures are just another example of the Port's commitment to sustain and improve Puget Sound's environment."

As an indication of this continuing commitment, local agencies are participating today in a workshop on reducing maritime related air emissions at Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way in Seattle. The event, titled the Puget Sound Seaport Diesel Solutions Workshop, runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The workshop is a joint effort of the Port of Seattle, the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Ports USA program and the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum.

With a focus on technology and business needs, the workshop will provide port terminal operators and fleet owners with information about voluntary, proactive steps they can take now to reduce diesel emissions from maritime-related sources.