International Programs
Reducing Emissions from Ships:
A U.S.-Mexico Fuel Switching Demonstration
Download a full-size version of this video (English) (WMV format, 109 MB)
Download a full-size version of this video (Spanish) (WMV format, 116 MB)
Final Project Report: U.S. Mexico Demonstration of Fuel Switching on Ocean Going Vessels in the Gulf of Mexico (94 p, 2.9 M, About PDF Files)
This report presents the results of the fuel switching demonstration, as well as port emission inventory development and emissions dispersion modeling for several ports in the Gulf of Mexico.
EPA implemented a demonstration program to show the human health and environmental benefits of ships switching from high sulfur marine fuel (with fuel sulfur levels of about 35,000 ppm) to lower sulfur marine fuel (with fuel sulfur levels of 1,000 ppm). The demonstration program also helped ports and maritime carriers gain experience in using low sulfur fuel, in accordance with strict new international standards.
Emission Control Areas
Strict international standards regarding Emission Control Areas, or ECAs, require that lower sulfur fuels be used by ships. ECAs are already in place for the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. A North American ECA was adopted that will begin in August 2012.
Within the North American ECA, ships will be required to switch fuels when operating within up to 200 nautical miles of the majority of U.S and Canadian Atlantic and Pacific coastal waters, French territories off the Canadian Atlantic coast, the U.S. Gulf Coast, and the main, populated islands of Hawaii.
Emissions of sulfur dioxides from the combustion of high sulfur fuel undergo atmospheric reactions which convert sulfur dioxide to sulfate particles. These particles are a significant threat to public health and marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Sulfate particles are a significant component of PM2.5, which can trigger asthma and worsen heart and lung disease. EPA expects the international standards regarding ECAs to bring important benefits for human health through reducing emissions from ships.
This international project was the result of a partnership between the EPA, the U.S. Maritime Administration, the Port of Houston Authority, the Mexican federal government, Maersk Line, a Denmark-based shipping company, and Hamburg Süd, a German-based shipping company.
EPA also promotes the voluntary reduction of harmful diesel emissions in ports in the United States through programs such as Clean Ports USA.
The Maersk Line Roubaix ship.
About the Fuel Switch Demonstration
EPA’s fuel switch demonstration engaged the maritime shipping industry and government representatives from Mexico, to raise awareness about the environmental benefits of implementing an Emission Control Area (ECA) and the upcoming North American ECA in August 2012. The demonstration consisted of the following activities:
- In Fall 2009, an initial fuel switching demonstration was conducted on a small container vessel of Maersk Lines
traveling between the Port of Houston, TX and the Port of Progreso, Mexico. Emissions reductions were estimated based on fuel used. [Maersk press release] - In April 2010, a second demonstration was undertaken with a vessel of the German-based shipping line Hamburg Süd. EPA installed monitors to measure stack air emissions before and after fuel switching, and calculated emissions reductions based on a trip from Veracruz, MX to Altamira, MX and finally to Houston. EPA also developed port emissions inventories and conducted dispersion and deposition modeling to show impacts to air quality and pollutant loadings to the Gulf of Mexico.
- In addition to the Mexico and U.S. fuel switches, the Hamburg Süd vessel also switched fuels in Houston in July 2010 and then also conducted a fuel switch when it called on Santos, Brazil in August. [Hamburg Sud press release]
- EPA produced a Final Report (above) presenting the results of the fuel switching demonstration, as well as port emission inventory development and emissions dispersion modeling for several ports in the Gulf of Mexico.
EPA and SEMARNAT jointly hosted a meeting of local and federal Mexican agencies to discuss the fuel switch demonstration.
To further Mexican government and industry awareness of the benefits of fuel switching and the ECA, EPA and the Mexican federal government conducted a technical workshop in April 2010 at the Port of Veracruz in Mexico. This workshop provided Mexican government and industry stakeholders and opportunity to learn first hand about this issue and to gather information on how to address marine emissions in the future. It was well attended by officials from local, municipal, state and federal agencies, including the State of Veracruz, SEMARNAT and PEMEX. Explore report, news articles and presentations from the technical workshop.
Raising Public Awareness
A key part of this project is to raise public awareness in the Gulf region about the benefits of fuel switching to human health and the environment.
- EPA developed a fuel-switching outreach video in Spanish and English which will be integrated into a touch-screen kiosk at the NOAA’s Ocean Today Kiosk in the Sant Ocean Hall in the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
- The module will also be linked to a network of Coastal Environmental Learning Centers that includes five additional aquariums in the Gulf of Mexico.
- The Veracruz Aquarium in Mexico will be the first aquarium to promote the module.
- EPA expects to reach millions of people in the U.S. and Mexico annually with this outreach effort.
The Final Report on the results of the project is now available. (See above.) The fuel switching project yielded valuable emissions data to show U.S. and Mexican policy makers in the Gulf specific reductions achieved from burning lower-sulfur fuels near land in U.S. and Mexican waters.
It also showcased a practice that will help the international shipping industry meet the new ECA regulations -- improving air quality and human health in coastal states.
The Hamburg Sd demonstration vessel leaves Veracruz port on lower sulfur marine fuel.
Additional Resources
North American Emissions Control Area
Addressing Emissions from Ocean-Going Vessels
Clean Ports USA: National Clean Diesel Campaign
EPA’s International Programs
EPA Region 6
EPA Gulf of Mexico Program Office
Contacts
For additional information on EPA's Fuel-Switching Program, contact:
Angela Bandemehr
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2660R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
E-mail: Bandemehr.Angela@epa.gov
202-564-6600