WHEREAS ships have vaulted ahead of other local air-pollution sources and are now, for instance, our regions largest source of sulphur oxides, a major contributor to smog and the cause of acid rain; AND WHEREAS recent studies have suggested that air pollution likely causes more deaths than traffic accidents, and fine particles from diesel engines such as those on ships are a major medical concern because their emissions are carcinogenic: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the federal government move to immediately strengthen air emissions regulations in the shipping sector, including considering requiring ships to use lower-sulphur fuels, reducing ship speeds in coastal waters, having ships plug into local electrical systems rather than running engines for power generation while docked; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UBCM express support for designation of North Americas west coast ports as International Maritime Organization Special Areas where stricter air emissions standards would apply.
ENVIRONMENT CANADA Environment Canada is working closely with Transport Canada, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and several other maritime stakeholders, to assess options for marine vessel emission reductions. In particular, we are evaluating the situation for Canadas coasts against the International Maritime Organisations criteria for Sulfur Oxides Emission Control Areas. Other options, including those mentioned in the UBCM resolution, are under consideration. Several would fall under the authority of Transport Canada. Environment Canada is taking immediate action on some issues within its own authority, such as emission inventory development, emission reduction technology demonstration, and regulation of diesel fuel sulphur content. Environment Canada co-chairs the Georgia Basin Marine Vessel Air Quality Work Group with the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia. Other members include Transport Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the Vancouver Port Authority, the Fraser River Port Authority, the Northwest Cruiseship Association, the Council of Marine Carriers and BC Ferry Services Inc. The Group provides a focal point for marine vessel emission reduction efforts in southwestern British Columbia.
VANCOUVER PORT AUTHORITY Ports, regulators and the marine industry have been working hard to address the issue of marine air emissions. In order to preserve our air quality and allow our region to continue with its economic development, the Vancouver Port Authority developed a strategic plan for reducing air emissions, which is now being implemented. The plan includes work at three levels: 1. To obtain accurate air emissions inventories in order to identify those areas where emissions reductions present the best opportunities; 2. To identify and utilize best available technologies to reduce air emissions from the entire logistics chain; 3. To work with the U.S. and Canadian governments to obtain a Sulfur Emissions Control Area SECA designation for the West Coast of North America. We are pleased to report that in 2004 significant progress was made on all three aspects of our plan. With regard to emissions inventories we are working with Transport Canada, the GVRD, Environment Canada and the Chamber of Shipping in the preparation of the 2005 Marine Sector Air Emissions Inventory. In terms of utilizing the best available technologies, we are cooperating with all ports on the West Coast and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to identify opportunities for emissions reductions... Regarding SECA designation, Environment Canada and the Environmental Protection Agency have started to collect the information required to support the request to the International Maritime Organization. The agencies have the full support of the major West Coast ports. We appreciate the endorsement of the UBCM of this important objective. Beyond our strategic plan, marine air emissions from local shipping barges, tugs, ferries, fishing vessels, etc., particularly sulfur dioxide emissions, will be considerably reduced in the years to come as a result of scheduled changes to the fuel formulations... With regard to ocean going vessels, fuel in Vancouver has a lower sulfur content 3 on average compared to the IMO requirement of 4. We are working with the cruise industry and the fuels industry with respect to the availability of bunkermarine oil blends that could reduce sulfur content used by cruise ships to as low as 1.5... The concern for air quality extends to all ports on the West Coast. In September 2004, the American Association of Port Authorities passed a resolution to encourage IMO to adopt more stringent air emission standards for new vessels... Full Vancouver Port Authority response available from the UBCM office.