The California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff will hold a virtual only workshop focused on ocean-going vessels (OGV) on December 5, 2024, from 1:00 - 3:30 pm PST. This workshop will focus on CARB's plans to develop an In-Transit regulation for OGVs, and the latest updates made to CARB's OGV emission inventory.

Workshop materials, including the staff presentation and meeting recording, will be posted on the Potential OGV In-Transit Regulation webpage.

Background

California's ports and coastal communities face ongoing air quality challenges due to emissions from OGVs. Despite existing regulations designed to reduce emissions from OGVs, OGVs are projected to be one of the largest contributors to mobile source emissions in California by 2037. Reducing pollutants from OGVs is critical to improve public health, meet federal air quality standards, and achieve California’s climate change goals, especially for disadvantaged communities near ports.

CARB has two existing regulations – the OGV At Berth and Vessel Fuel Regulation - that target oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, with greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions as a co-benefit. In December 2022, CARB released the Interim Evaluation report that highlighted the need to reduce emissions from OGVs, particularly during transit, which account for about 95 percent of OGV emissions. CARB's 2022 State Strategy for the State Implementation Plan (SIP) emphasizes the need for action to reduce OGV emissions. CARB is exploring regulatory and voluntary measures that could achieve additional emissions reductions from OGVs while in-transit, maneuvering and at anchor in Regulated California Waters. 

Contact

If you have any questions on the workshop or the OGV In-Transit Regulation, contact ogvintransit@arb.ca.gov, or visit CARB’s Potential OGV In-Transit Regulation Webpage. 

For general questions about the OGV emissions inventory, contact OffRoadInventory@arb.ca.gov, or visit CARB's Off-Road Diesel Models and Documentation Webpage.