ESG: CAPTURING, CONTROLLING SHIP EMISSIONS

‘Bonnets’ Coming to Port

By George Lurie

Monday, May 30, 2022

San Diego Business Journal
The Port of San Diego is moving forward with a new system to control and capture cargo vessel emissions using a device known as a bonnet. Port officials announced last week that the bonnet will be available for use by cargo vessels that aren’t yet equipped to connect to shore power.

photo

Dan Malcolm Board Chair, Commissioner Port of San Diego

“The bonnet will give some of our cargo carriers a great option in reducing their air quality impacts while they work to transition their vessels to being shore power compatible,” said Commissioner Dan Malcolm, board chair of the Port Commission. “This is another example of how we can maintain and grow our maritime business – and protect jobs – while also improving air quality and quality of life for all who live, work, and play on and around San Diego Bay.”


In support of the Port’s new Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS), port commissioners have approved an agreement with Clean Air Engineering – Maritime (CEM) to design, build and operate a barge-based emissions control and capture system, also known as the Marine Exhaust Treatment System (METS), which will be certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

For vessels that aren’t yet shore power compatible, the METS places a bonnet over the vessel’s stack to capture and treat exhaust while the ship is at berth. CARB requires the exhaust treatment to be equivalent to electric power at berth.
 
CAEM has received CARB approval on similar technologies that remove over 95% of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide. Shore power allows vessels to plug-in to shore-based electricity so they don’t have to run their diesel engines while at berth.

Reducing Air Pollutants

Having a bonnet in addition to shore power at the Port of San Diego’s cargo terminals – one at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and one coming soon at the National City Marine Terminal – will help to further reduce certain air pollutants like nitrogen oxides and diesel particulate matter, Port officials said.

photo

Nick Tonsich President CAEM

Nick Tonsich, president of CAEM, hailed the public-private partnership. “The Port of San Diego is aggressively pursuing every mitigation measure available to ensure the highest air quality of any port community,” Tonsich said. “We are proud to work with the Port and provide our years of experience.”


The bonnet system supports the Port’s MCAS “Health Equity for All” vision – specifically, the goal to reduce emissions from ocean-going vessels.
 
New Regs Kick In in 2025

Additionally, CARB regulations require that auto carrier vessels reduce emissions while at-berth at California seaports beginning in 2025 by utilizing either shore power or bonnet technology.
 
The Port’s National City Marine Terminal primarily processes automobile imports.

The total cost of the project is approximately $11.5 million, with the Port directing $4.9 million in grant funds received from the California Transportation Commission. CAEM is covering the rest.
 
The bonnet system is anticipated to be operational by January 1, 2025.

CAEM was founded in 2010 and has over a decade of working experience on over 400 vessel calls and 23,000 hours of vessel exhaust treatment. A full-service company providing both design and build as well as operations and maintenance of emissions capture and control systems, CAEM has a successful operational history at both the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach.

photo

Brianne Page Public Information Officer Port of San Diego

The agreement is a good business deal for the Port, according to Brianne Page, public information officer at the Port, who notes that CAEM is providing up-front capital financing for the portion of the project not covered by the CTC grant -- and has agreed to the following additional commitments:


• CAEM will design, build, and deliver to the Port a METS unit which is compliant with CARB regulations;

• CAEM will provide the capital necessary for the construction, delivery, and operation of the METS (subject to reimbursement of certain costs through grant funding obtained by the Port);

• CAEM will operate and maintain the METS during the duration of the contract through a revenue sharing arrangement with the Port;

• The Port’s share of revenue will be applied to reduce the capital investment of CAEM over time; and

• CAEM and the Port will jointly own the METS until CAEM has fully recovered its capital investment in the ECCS.

Clean Air Projects

Other notable clean air projects in the works at the Port include:

• Doubling shore power for cruise ships in fall 2022.

• Installation in 2023 of two all-electric Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Cranes to replace the obsolete diesel mobile harbor crane at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.

• The first all-electric tugboat in the U.S., being built and to be operated by Crowley, will operate in San Diego Bay beginning in 2023 as will 16 new electric trucks and vans that will replace gas- or diesel-powered vehicles in the Port’s fleet.

The Port of San Diego is a specially created district, balancing multiple uses on 34 miles along San Diego Bay spanning five cities.

The Port, which does not collect taxes, manages a diverse portfolio to generate revenues that support vital public services and amenities.

The Port of San Diego, the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California, includes Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 22 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of hundreds of tenant and subtenant businesses around San Diego Bay, including 17 hotels, 74 restaurants, three specialty retail centers and numerous other attractions including museums and bay tours.

Port of San Diego
Founded: 1962
CEO: Joe Stuyvesant
Employees: 550+
Headquarters: 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego
Website: www.portofsandiego.org
Contact: (619) 686-6200
Notable: The Port supports more than 44,300 jobs and has an estimated $9.4 billion impact on the region’s economy.