Seattle Sees Less Maritime-Related Air Pollution, Report Says

Maritime-related air pollution related to the Port of Seattle has decreased as much as 40 percent, depending on the type, since 2005, according to the 2011 Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory report, which updated a 2005 version. The inventory estimated greenhouse gases, diesel particulate matter and a number of other pollutants, such as sulfur dioxides and volatile organic compounds, the port authority said, focusing on pollutants related to ships, harbor vessels, cargo-handling equipment, rail, heavy-duty trucks and other fleet vehicles associated with maritime activities. It said much of the progress was due to voluntary investments of the maritime industry and government agencies in cleaner technology, cleaner fuels and more efficient systems of operation.

While most emissions decreased, some categories of pollutants increased, likely due to a 12 percent increase in boat traffic, as well as an increase in the use of larger engines, which have higher emissions, it said. The report said the maritime industry has adopted a number of voluntary initiatives to reduce emissions, including switching to low-sulfur or biodiesel fuels, using shore power, replacing or retrofitting older engines, and improving systems to use equipment more efficiently. Some of the decrease also can be attributed to fewer ship calls and less cargo resulting from a sluggish economy, it noted. The 2011 results do not account for the North American "Emission Control Area" that took effect Aug. 1, 2012, requiring ships operating in waters along the Pacific, Gulf and Atlantic coasts of the U.S. and Canada to burn cleaner fuels.