As part of ongoing efforts to achieve low or zero emissions standards, the Port of Los Angeles announced a $31 million grant from the California Air Resources Board that will launch emissions reduction technology demonstration projects for port boats, with Catalina Express. and Harbor Breeze Cruises to participate.
The objective will be to carry out a complete evaluation of new generation, less polluting port boats.
“CARB is proud to support the development of the next generation of advanced marine vessels that will help protect the health of those who live and work near ports,” CARB President Liane Randolph said in a press release on the project. “California is demonstrating what is possible and leading the way in bringing cleaner ship technology to market. »
Grant partners Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze Cruises will each contribute $15 million to their respective demonstration programs. The Los Angeles Port Commission approved $650,000 in Port of Los Angeles funds to help finance the project’s assessment study. The Port of Long Beach will contribute approximately $340,000 to support the Port of Los Angeles’ technology assessment in coordination with port craft operators, regulators, engine manufacturers, technology developers and the U.S. Coast Guard.
“To achieve our goal of becoming a zero-emission portwe must integrate a range of emissions reduction technologies throughout our port complex, as well as promote their commercialization,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “We are grateful to the California Air Resources Board, Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze Cruises for helping support this industry-leading initiative to test promising new technologies for harbor craft.”
Dubbed the Los Angeles Marine Emissions Reduction Project, it will include the design, construction and launch of a passenger ferry equipped with Tier 4 engines – a set of standards for engines used in cargo handling equipment – and potentially a CARB-verified U.S. Coast Guard ferry. -Approved particle filter.
Operated by Catalina Express, the new ferry will use renewable diesel and replace three smaller ferries using Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines, improving the efficiency of regional ferry services while increasing emissions benefits.
“For more than 43 years, Catalina Express has been environmentally conscious and has been able to meet or exceed federal and state regulations to help reduce emissions,” said Greg Bombard, president and CEO of Catalina Express. “In addition to repowering projects, the company has worked with its fuel supplier to migrate the majority of Catalina Express vessels to renewable diesel, derived from a base of soybean oil and other plant stocks.”
He added that the CARB grant and the partnership with the Port of Los Angeles “allowed us to move forward with the construction of this new vessel to continue the mission of promoting the environment and continuing to provide ferry service valuable and affordable to Catalina Island for island residents and visitors. and local communities.
For Harbor Breeze Cruises, the project will include the design, construction and deployment of two zero-emission tour boats. The vessels are expected to exceed the regulatory definition of a Zero Emission Advanced Technology (ZEAT) vessel and will be capable of operating at least 30% of the time in zero emissions mode, with some voyages operating up to 100%, depending on length of the route and other factors.
“It is such an honor to have started my career at the Port of Los Angeles decades ago and to see the technological advancements over the years,” said Captain Dan Salas, founder and owner of Harbor Breeze Cruises among tenants of still-developing West Harbor waterfront attraction and now operates from this site as well as a location on the Long Beach waterfront. “San Pedro Bay’s forward-thinking ports are tackling local and global challenges to reduce major pollutants and greenhouse gases by supporting projects like this aimed at creating a cleaner community and environment. healthy.
The cornerstone of the project will be a detailed assessment of the feasibility and commercial status of the two emissions reduction technologies, including the identification of infrastructure gaps for zero-emission harbor craft and the potential for filter marinization diesel particles.
The assessment will also examine workforce development needs related to training port workers in new engine technologies and advanced battery electric solutions for tugboats, ferries and pilot boats operating in the bay from San Pedro.