The US EPA has finalized a rule setting tough engine and fuel standards for large US flagged ships, a major milestone in the EPA's strategy to slash harmful marine diesel emissions.
This regulation will lead to significant air quality improvements throughout the country that align with international standards. This rule, under the Clean Air Act, complements a key piece of EPA’s strategy to designate an emissions control area for US and Canadian coasts.
Air pollution from large ships, such as oil tankers and cargo ships, are predicted grow rapidly as port traffic increases. By 2030, the EPA's strategy is expected to reduce, from present levels, annual emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from large marine diesel engines by about 1.2 million tons and particulate matter emissions by about 143,000 tons.
When fully implemented, this coordinated effort will reduce NOX emissions from ships by 80 percent, and particulate emissions by 85 percent, compared to current emissions.
The emission reductions from the strategy will yield significant health and welfare benefits that go well beyond the US port where the vessel is located.
This action represents another milestone in EPA’s decade-long effort to reduce pollution from both new and existing diesel engines. This effort includes similar emissions from other diesel fueled engines including passenger cars, trucks and other internal combustion engines.
This regulation will lead to significant air quality improvements throughout the country that align with international standards. This rule, under the Clean Air Act, complements a key piece of EPA’s strategy to designate an emissions control area for US and Canadian coasts.
Air pollution from large ships, such as oil tankers and cargo ships, are predicted grow rapidly as port traffic increases. By 2030, the EPA's strategy is expected to reduce, from present levels, annual emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from large marine diesel engines by about 1.2 million tons and particulate matter emissions by about 143,000 tons.
When fully implemented, this coordinated effort will reduce NOX emissions from ships by 80 percent, and particulate emissions by 85 percent, compared to current emissions.
The emission reductions from the strategy will yield significant health and welfare benefits that go well beyond the US port where the vessel is located.
This action represents another milestone in EPA’s decade-long effort to reduce pollution from both new and existing diesel engines. This effort includes similar emissions from other diesel fueled engines including passenger cars, trucks and other internal combustion engines.
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