Metropolitan Stevedoring Co., which operates the Pier G bulk cargo terminal in Long
Beach, has partnered with Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc. to develop a pilot
project to test ACTI’s dockside emissions treatment system at one berth. They are
seeking Port development permits to begin construction as early as this fall. The Port is
currently preparing an environmental analysis of the project and the South Coast Air
Quality Management District is evaluating the air quality benefits.
The system consists of a "bonnet" that fits over the exhaust stacks of ships at berth.
Through a network of ducts, emissions captured by the "bonnet" flow to a dockside
treatment unit like those found at industrial plants. The treatment unit includes a multistage
emission cleaning system, with a "scrubber" and selective catalytic reduction.
ACTI of Rancho Dominguez estimates the system would reduce harmful air pollutants
such as particulate matter and sulfur dioxide by 99 percent, and smog-forming nitrogen
oxide by 95 percent.
"This could be a major breakthrough in our efforts to improve air quality," said Port
Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. "Ships at berth are a significant source of air
pollution. We are planning ‘cold-ironing’ or shore-side electricity to eliminate much of that
problem. But cold ironing is not feasible for all ships, especially those that come here
infrequently. The proposed treatment system could be the answer for how we ‘clean’
those vessels."
The Port is developing shore-side electrical infrastructure at the BP berth T121 oil
terminal, the SSA Terminals Pier C-60 container terminal and the International
Transportation Service container terminal at Piers G/J. The Port plans to invest tens of
millions of dollars for still more cold ironing projects over the next ten years.
The majority of the vessels serving the breakbulk facilities in the Southeast Basin, at
Piers F and G, are infrequent callers, presenting a challenge for controlling emissions
from ships at berth. Cold ironing for these terminals is much less cost effective than for
terminals that are serviced by more frequent callers. Therefore, implementing an
emission control system at these facilities that does not require vessel retrofits has
advantages over cold ironing.
"It doesn’t make sense to require all vessels to cold iron," said Al Garnier, the chief
operating officer for Metropolitan Stevedoring Co. "But we all want to do our part to
improve air quality. We are proud to be partners in this giant step forward at the Port."
"Our system could be designed to work with almost any vessel," said Matt Stewart,
executive vice president for ACTI. "This will be the first time that this technology has
been used in a marine environment. But the emission reduction control technology that
this employs is widely used to treat exhaust at many industrial sites."
ACTI is preparing to test the treatment system on locomotives at Union Pacific
Railroad’s yard in the Northern California community of Roseville.
If the pilot test at Metropolitan Stevedoring Co. proves effective at treating exhaust from
vessels at berth, the treatment system may be expanded. The Port is currently
evaluating the potential environmental benefits of extending the system to other facilities
in the Southeast Basin, at Piers F and G.
