Maritime Speed Limit To Lower Emissions - About.com Guide - Supply Chain

Posted - By Martin Murray, About.com /  Supply Chain  Guide November 26, 2012

A new study by the University of California, Riverside, has suggested that if ports introduced a speed limit of 14 miles per hour for maritime vessels, this would the emissions of nitrogen oxides by 55 percent and soot by almost 70 percent. The current speed limit around ports is between 25 to 29 miles per hour, but the reduction would cut not only nitrogen oxide but carbon dioxide by 60 percent.

Ninety percent of the world's cargo is moved by around 100,000 maritime vessels and a speed reduction in the ten mile area around ports will significantly improve the air quality for residents closest to the terminals. Since 2001, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have offered financial incentives to shippers that voluntarily reduce their speeds to 12 knots. In August the Port of New York and New Jersey approved several similar initiatives to reduce emissions, including a voluntary speed reduction where vessels should reduce their speed to no more than 11.5 mph starting 20 nautical miles out. 
 
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