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By Tosca Pinder, President, Seattle Propeller Club
While the Port of SeattleAnd The Northwest Seaport AllianceHave been able to successfully implement an ambitious, comprehensive and comprehensive strategy Clean air strategy, our region’s maritime businesses have also been hard at work creating innovative initiatives to address the urgency of climate change.
Innovation in the maritime sector
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), established guidelines for decarbonization, aim to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050 compared to 2008. But for Puget Sound companies — from tugboat to shipping to passenger vessels to terminal operators — going beyond those targets is just the right thing to do.
“Our region is leading in the global maritime industry’s rapid shift towards decarbonization,” Joshua Berger, founder and president/CEO of Washington Maritime Blue. “We have strong industry leadership backed by public investment in the infrastructure that enables a clean energy transition, and we are a region that embraces innovation. We have come together over the past five years to organize, collaborate, and attract the talent and capacity to get things done.
Maritime Blue is currently leading a varietyInnovative projects including a zero-emission fast foil ferry, scaling up the use of clean hydrogen for port and maritime applications, and developing the off-shore wind sector.
Shipping with alternative fuels
The region’s shipping industry is also out front on clean air initiatives. The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) represents marine terminal operators, container vessels, and others in the trade community on the West Coast and is a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Maritime Air ForumThe company has had success in reducing air emissions from the maritime transport of freight and passengers.
“Strategies like cleaner equipment and fuels have substantially reduced the impact of port operations on the surrounding community,” Jordan Royer is Vice President for External Affairs at PMSA. “For example, sulfur in vessel fuels have been reduced by over 95% resulting in significantly less vessel emissions in general and diesel particulate matter specifically.”
Royer also noted that terminals throughout the Pacific Northwest are currently upgrading cargo-handling equipment. “Over 50% of equipment has already been transitioned to the cleanest Tier 4 standard available, which reduces both nitrogen oxides and diesel particulate matter by 90%,” he said.
All of these efforts resulted in significant emission reductions between 2005-2016 (the most recent year data are available; a new data collection initiative is underway now).
- Sulfur oxides emissions have declined by 97%
- Diesel particulate matter is decreased by 81%
- Moreover, nitrogen oxides have dropped by 35%
“As the focus turns to reducing the greenhouse gas footprint of the maritime industry, new technologies are being tested and deployed,” Royer stated. “One of the biggest challenges will be reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vessels. Today, there is no technology that can produce a zero emission ship. Nonetheless, significant investments in green methanol and liquified natural gas ships are being made that can significantly reduce or eliminate the greenhouse gas footprint of vessels.”
Liquified natural gas (LNG)
TOTE launched the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered container ships in 2015. Conversion works are underway to convert Alaska ORCA Class vessels from liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container ships to dual fuel LNG power by 2023. LNG as a maritime fuel reduces emissions and improves air quality. TOTE also makes use of shore power in its operations at Port of Tacoma.
Electric shore power
“We have also worked with the Port of Seattle to incorporate high-capacity shore power at Harbor Island Marina where we moor our harbor tugs,” Russ Shrewsbury, owner of Ballard-based Western Towboat. “By branching out and partnering with local regulatory and government bodies we have been able to make great progress lessening our environmental footprint. As a company moving forward, we will look to continue to upgrade our fleet and utilize the newest technology and innovations to lessen our carbon footprint in our work environments.”
Western Towboat Two repowers were completed recently with the help of clean harbor grants from Washington Department of Ecology. “Our most recent project was a complete repower of our tug West Point from Tier 0 to Tier 3 main engines and generator,” Shrewsbury said.
The future of clean power is bright. Today, CrowleyThe United States’ first fully electric tugboat is being built. eWolf.
“Crowley’s design provides operators the tugboat solution to continue serving ships quickly and powerfully, while reducing their environmental impact by eliminating a carbon footprint,” said Ray Martus, Vice President, Crowley Engineering Services. “The zero-emissions tug continues Crowley’s dedication to sustainability with our initiatives such as using biofuels throughout our fleet.”
The cruise industry is also actively addressing climate change. According to Holland America’s Sustainability 2022 Report, the company’s 2030 goal is to
“achieve a 40% carbon intensity reduction relative to our 2008 baseline measured in both grams of CO2e per ALB-km and grams of CO2e per ALBD. Multimillion-dollar investments are required to decarbonize our country. We are reaffirming our commitment to decarbonization by supporting the transition to alternative fuels and technologies such as biofuels, large-scale batteries, and fuel cells.”
The Port of Seattleis also currently working on bringing about Electricity that is clean to ships berthed at Pier 66.
“Electrification of the waterfront is a key step the Port can take toward advancing the decarbonization of the maritime industry,” Fred Felleman (Port of Seattle Commissioner). “Installation of shore power at Pier 66 will mean that all equipped cruise ships calling on Elliott Bay will be able to turn off their engines while at berth. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air polluting communities. It will also demonstrate our commitment to being North America’s greenest cruise ship home port.
Offshore wind
Offshore wind energy is a great option to address the climate crisis and provide good-paying jobs.
Foss, which has been an international leader on decarbonization projects such as building the world’s first low emissions hybrid tugboat, partnering with Sandia National Laboratory on a project to test portable hydrogen fuel cells housed in 40’ containers for barges, and switching their entire fleet to ultra-low sulfur diesel in 2007, recently announced the creation of another Offshore wind project.
“The New Bedford Foss Marine Terminal is perfectly situated to support offshore wind projects on the East Coast,” said Jason Childs, President and CEO of Saltchuk Marine, Foss’ parent company.
“Today, our region is leading a global push towards sustainability, decarbonization, and environmental justice,” Eleanor Kirtley (senior program manager, Seattle) Green Marine, which certifies more 160 ship owners, terminal operators, port authorities, and shipyard managers across Canada and the United States. “Building a clean energy economy can promote sustainability, while opening a vast array of new economic opportunities, bringing good paying jobs and investment to communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.”
About the Author and Seattle Propeller Club
Tosca Pinder is the President of the Seattle Propeller Club and an Associate Vice President, Property & Casualty | Maritime, at Newfront.
The Seattle Propeller ClubThe largest and most diverse maritime business association in Seattle. The Club is designed to promote maritime commerce in the Puget Sound region and holds monthly networking events, raises funds to support maritime nonprofit organizations and supports initiatives to enhance the vitality of the industry. The Seattle Propeller Club produces the Maritime Festival, Seattle Maritime Matters, and Seafood 101 campaigns.
