Updated Air Emissions Inventory Needed at Wash. Ports June 26, 2015
Maritime Federation applauds call from Darrell Bryan and Clare Petrich for a 2016 update
Seattle – Following the call from Port of Seattle commission candidate Darrell Bryan and Port of Tacoma Commissioner Clare Petrich to update the 2011 Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory, the Washington Maritime Federation today issued the following statement:
“The call for a 2016 update to the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory from Seattle port commission candidate Bryan and Tacoma port commissioner Petrich will help ensure that
Washington’s maritime sector continues to be a global leader in sustainability,” said Joshua Berger of the Washington Maritime Federation. “While our ports have made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas and other emissions, by updating the inventory we will better be able to track progress and identify areas where more work is needed.”
The 2011 Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory, which provided an update to the 2005 baseline inventory, found that maritime-related air pollution decreased significantly. In 2010, CO2 emissions were reduced by five percent below 2005 levels – compared to the City of Seattle’s reduction of one percent in a similar timeframe. Sulfur particulates saw the greatest reduction in the 2011 Inventory, reducing by 16 percent.
The inventory estimated greenhouse gases, diesel particulate matter and a number of other pollutants, such as sulfur dioxides and volatile organic compounds. It focused on pollutants related to ships, harbor vessels, cargo-handling equipment, rail, heavy-duty trucks and other fleet vehicles associated with maritime activities.
Comprised of labor, business and maritime organizations across the state, the Washington Maritime Federation works in partnership with local and national organizations to highlight leadership from within support maritime business and workforce development and advocate for balanced regulation and incentives. Members, working with stakeholders across the state, are leading the way towards a sustainable maritime transportation system.
Recently, the Washington Maritime Federation joined with Green Marine – the top environmental certification program for the North American marine industry – to host the annual Greentech 2015 conference.
There are many examples of Washington’s maritime-industry-leading commitment to sustainability. Below are just a few examples:
PUBLIC PORTS
Environmental protection and land use planning issues have been increasingly important to public ports in Washington State. Ports often operate at the interface of land and water, and are located in areas crucial to water quality and plant and animal life. Many ports around the state are innovative drivers of clean technology, environmental protections and best management practices. For example, stormwater remediation efforts in Tacoma, Seattle and Port Townsend have been noteworthy and creative, utilizing rain gardens, oyster shell and biochar by-products. Great collaborations have been established, including partnerships with area land trusts and efforts such as the Duwamish River Clean-up Coalition.
FISHING
Blue North recognizes, accepts and embraces its responsibility as a steward of sustainability in everything it does. The company’s prime product – Alaska longline, or hook-and-line, cod – has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), designated as a “Best Choice” by the Monterey Aquarium’s Seafood Watch. Blue North has created a producer partnership with FishWise and has been given the Environmental Defense Fund’s highest rating. Blue North is going a step further by building an innovative, state-of-the-art “green” boat that will be one of the most environmentally friendly fishing vessels in the world.
TUG AND BARGE
Harley Marine Services has won numerous environmental stewardship awards including for their headquarters on Harbor Island in Seattle. The LEED Gold designed building features among others, rainwater harvesting, solar power, low VOC appliances, natural light assisted by smart LED lighting systems and an educational marine habitat pool in the atrium. The Harley & Lela Franco Maritime Center is significant for the maritime industry because it is an outward demonstration to the greater Seattle community of the industry’s environmental awareness and leadership.
SHIPPING
Saltchuk, a family owned transportation and distribution company, is headquartered in Seattle, WA. With approximately 7,500 employees in six lines of business ranging from maritime services to air cargo, it is the largest privately held company in Washington state. Saltchuk is proud of the investments its companies have made in clean technology and alternative fuels that have set new standards in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the transportation industry. Businesses such as TOTE which is converting its entire domestic cargo ship fleet to run on clean-burning natural gas, recently christened the world’s first LNG-powered containership. Foss built and operates the first Hybrid Electric Tug boats and Interstate Distributor Co was the first trucking company in the Pacific Northwest to introduce LNG tractors to their fleet.
Washington Maritime Federation
The Washington Maritime Federation is comprised of labor, business and maritime organizations across the Puget Sound that are committed to keeping middle class communities strong, and supporting the long term commercial viability of our ports and industry in a global marketplace. For more information, please visit www.maritimefederation.com.
“The call for a 2016 update to the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory from Seattle port commission candidate Bryan and Tacoma port commissioner Petrich will help ensure that
Washington’s maritime sector continues to be a global leader in sustainability,” said Joshua Berger of the Washington Maritime Federation. “While our ports have made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas and other emissions, by updating the inventory we will better be able to track progress and identify areas where more work is needed.”
The 2011 Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory, which provided an update to the 2005 baseline inventory, found that maritime-related air pollution decreased significantly. In 2010, CO2 emissions were reduced by five percent below 2005 levels – compared to the City of Seattle’s reduction of one percent in a similar timeframe. Sulfur particulates saw the greatest reduction in the 2011 Inventory, reducing by 16 percent.
The inventory estimated greenhouse gases, diesel particulate matter and a number of other pollutants, such as sulfur dioxides and volatile organic compounds. It focused on pollutants related to ships, harbor vessels, cargo-handling equipment, rail, heavy-duty trucks and other fleet vehicles associated with maritime activities.
Comprised of labor, business and maritime organizations across the state, the Washington Maritime Federation works in partnership with local and national organizations to highlight leadership from within support maritime business and workforce development and advocate for balanced regulation and incentives. Members, working with stakeholders across the state, are leading the way towards a sustainable maritime transportation system.
Recently, the Washington Maritime Federation joined with Green Marine – the top environmental certification program for the North American marine industry – to host the annual Greentech 2015 conference.
There are many examples of Washington’s maritime-industry-leading commitment to sustainability. Below are just a few examples:
PUBLIC PORTS
Environmental protection and land use planning issues have been increasingly important to public ports in Washington State. Ports often operate at the interface of land and water, and are located in areas crucial to water quality and plant and animal life. Many ports around the state are innovative drivers of clean technology, environmental protections and best management practices. For example, stormwater remediation efforts in Tacoma, Seattle and Port Townsend have been noteworthy and creative, utilizing rain gardens, oyster shell and biochar by-products. Great collaborations have been established, including partnerships with area land trusts and efforts such as the Duwamish River Clean-up Coalition.
FISHING
Blue North recognizes, accepts and embraces its responsibility as a steward of sustainability in everything it does. The company’s prime product – Alaska longline, or hook-and-line, cod – has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), designated as a “Best Choice” by the Monterey Aquarium’s Seafood Watch. Blue North has created a producer partnership with FishWise and has been given the Environmental Defense Fund’s highest rating. Blue North is going a step further by building an innovative, state-of-the-art “green” boat that will be one of the most environmentally friendly fishing vessels in the world.
TUG AND BARGE
Harley Marine Services has won numerous environmental stewardship awards including for their headquarters on Harbor Island in Seattle. The LEED Gold designed building features among others, rainwater harvesting, solar power, low VOC appliances, natural light assisted by smart LED lighting systems and an educational marine habitat pool in the atrium. The Harley & Lela Franco Maritime Center is significant for the maritime industry because it is an outward demonstration to the greater Seattle community of the industry’s environmental awareness and leadership.
SHIPPING
Saltchuk, a family owned transportation and distribution company, is headquartered in Seattle, WA. With approximately 7,500 employees in six lines of business ranging from maritime services to air cargo, it is the largest privately held company in Washington state. Saltchuk is proud of the investments its companies have made in clean technology and alternative fuels that have set new standards in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the transportation industry. Businesses such as TOTE which is converting its entire domestic cargo ship fleet to run on clean-burning natural gas, recently christened the world’s first LNG-powered containership. Foss built and operates the first Hybrid Electric Tug boats and Interstate Distributor Co was the first trucking company in the Pacific Northwest to introduce LNG tractors to their fleet.
Washington Maritime Federation
The Washington Maritime Federation is comprised of labor, business and maritime organizations across the Puget Sound that are committed to keeping middle class communities strong, and supporting the long term commercial viability of our ports and industry in a global marketplace. For more information, please visit www.maritimefederation.com.