[ emissions check ]
It’s Working: New Report Clears the Air Over Local Maritime Emissions Reductions
As we swelter through another hot summer, it’s important to acknowledge some rare, good news in the Northwest regarding the climate: Many of the marine industry’s efforts to reduce emissions in the Puget Sound region over the last two decades are starting to pay off.
According to a new survey released in June by the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum, air pollutants emitted by the region’s maritime businesses measured in 2021 showed significant decreases in several environmental variables compared to previous studies in 2016 and 2005.
The data comes from the Puget Sound Emissions Inventory (PSEI), a report that began in 2005 and is conducted again every five years (2011, 2016, 2021) to measure industry emissions from seven local ports, six government agencies, and three maritime industry partners. Compared to the results of the initial 2005 study, airborne diesel particulate matter was reduced by 82 percent and greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 10 percent, according to the 2021 report.
The latest PSEI report cited various environmental stewardship programs enacted by the maritime industry as the chief reasons for the cleaner air data. The decline in emissions, it said, can be attributed to investments in electrification, cleaner engine technologies, operational efficiencies, and the implementation of the North American Emissions Control Area regulation, which requires vessels to burn fuels with a lower sulfur content within 200 miles of shore.
Scientists analyzing the data did acknowledge, however, that some of the emissions reductions in the 2021 report could also be attributed to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted global supply chains in 2020 and drastically reduced cargo shipping activity at Puget Sound ports and completely shut down the 2020 cruise ship season.
“With over $150 million invested in seaport modernization in recent years, we’ve achieved diverse environmental benefits and advanced our climate change strategy,” said Lisa Lefeber, CEO of the Port of Everett. “During the pandemic supply chain crisis, we handled excess cargo with lower emissions per unit—delivering cargo with a lower carbon footprint than any past inventories.”
The PSEI established 2005 as a baseline year by which the industry could measure changes across a range of air quality and climate change variables, including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, diesel particulate matter, black carbon, and greenhouse gases. This data can be used to assess how port activities, such as vessels operations, cargo-handling equipment, rail, heavy-duty trucks, and other fleet vehicles contribute to air pollution in the region.
“As ports, we hold a pivotal role in driving economic activity while prioritizing environmental sustainability in the Puget Sound region,” said Kristin Ang, president of the Port of Tacoma Commission and co-chair of the Northwest Seaport Alliance. The PSEI, she added, is an important tool used to measure progress on the maritime industry’s green goals and helps shape future environmental policy decisions and investments.
Captain Mike Moore, vice-president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), said the PSEI results “confirm that the investments in clean air that are being made by the marine terminal and ocean carrier members of the PMSA have been exceptionally effective.” The report data, he said, “show exactly how impressive our emissions reductions in several key areas have been, and also where we still have work to do.”
The next important benchmark will be the following PSEI report, using data from 2026 (well after the Covid slowdown years), to see if a continuing trend of decreased emissions will be fast enough to meet the stringent “zero maritime emissions” goals by 2050. This goal, set by the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, has been agreed to by a collaboration between the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the Port of Seattle, the Port of Tacoma, and the Port of Vancouver, B.C. For more details on the report, go to: pugetsoundmaritimeairforum.org.
[ from the drawing board ]
New Design from Gig Harbor Boat Works Rocks the Lobster Boat World
Soon after announcing discounted pre-orders could begin this summer for its new Lobster Boat design, Gig Harbor Boat Works (GHBW) is reportedly nearly sold out of the expected first batch of its new, versatile workhorse vessel.
After releasing a sneak peek of the initial CAD designs for the Lobster Boat in February, the Gig Harbor-based builder kicked off a flurry of interest in the area for the vessel’s new look. With a 15’ LOA and an expected beam of about 5 feet, the new craft will have a maximum passenger capacity of six people.
Based on the builder’s original Lobster Boat, dating back to the 1930s, the simple semi-dory design will retain its pointed bow for cutting through chop seas and flat bottom for easy planing with an outboard motor. The bottom corners of the transom are also rounded so that the craft can heel under sail without increasing drag. Other subtle changes will also be made to the chines and the lapstrakes, but the shape of the hull will look generally the same, the company said.
The more noticeable changes will be seen in the deck, said Katie Malik, general manager of GHBW and daughter of the company’s founder, David Robinson. “We’ve rounded the foredeck into a lovely slipper shape, rather than the straight across deck on the previous version,” Malik wrote in a recent company blog post. “This creates more openness toward the bow, which should help improve two shortcomings of the original.”
Malik said the curved shape change will make it easier to step into the boat when it is beached. The alteration will also allow for more room at the bow for passengers and cargo, which will make it easier to adjust the trim of the vessel while under way.
Because 10 hp outboards are generally more common to find than the 8 hp motor size, the new Lobster Boat will be rated for a 10 hp motor, so flotation was improved for the power upgrade, with optional dry storage hatches to be included on both sides, Malik said. This will bring the maximum total capacity up to 935 pounds, including persons, motor, and gear. To provide more room, the interior will have a more open cockpit, with longitudinal seats along the sides and the stern, she said.
While primarily designed for motoring, the boat will be easily converted for both sailing and rowing, now including a user-friendly balanced lug as the standard sail rather than the sloop rig in the previous model (although a sloop configuration may still be an option). A centerboard and kick-up rudder will be included for easy launch and landing.
As of June, Malik said a wooden prototype for the Lobster Boat design will be built and tested over the rest of the summer. Once any tweaks are made from the prototype, Malik said, GHBW will move towards a Kevlar/composite fiberglass version for “hull #1” and possibly start production for the current pre-orders by this fall. For more information on the design, visit: ghboats.com.
[ cruising forward ]
Port of Seattle Accelerates Shore Power Requirements to 2027 for Cruise Vessels
In a bold move to speed up its plans to reduce the impact of the cruise-ship industry on climate change, the Port of Seattle said in June that it will require 100 percent of all cruise vessels with a homeport in Seattle to become shore-power capable by 2027. The previous shore-power goal for the Port had been 2030.
The Port accelerated the deadline by three years because of “significant investments” that have already been made by the cruise industry, according to Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman, who co-sponsored the order. “Marketing such investments should also appeal to the environmental interests of travelers who have chosen to cruise to Alaska,” he added.
According to Port statistics, plugging vessels into shore power reduces diesel emissions from cruise vessels by an average of 80 percent while berthed. During the 2023 season, cruise ships using shore power avoided 2,700 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 0.75 metric tons of diesel particulate matter—the equivalent emissions of nearly 650 passenger cars driving for a full year.
The Port is also nearing completion of its effort to electrify all of Pier 66 on the Seattle waterfront and is expected to connect all cruise ships at the pier by this summer. Once the Pier 66 project is finalized, shore power will be available at all three Seattle cruise berths, including the Bell Street and Smith Cove terminals.
Twenty years ago, the Port of Seattle and the Carnival Corporation made Seattle the first homeport in North America to offer shore power at two cruise berths, which, at the time, covered 66 percent of the cruise calls at the Port’s facilities.
Once the Pier 66 shore power connections are finalized this year, the upgrades will help bring the maritime industry closer to achieving the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy goal of electrifying all cruise berths six years earlier than expected.
The Port of Seattle also continues to work to electrify and “decarbonize” cruise ports in Alaska, Victoria, B.C., and Vancouver, B.C. Through partnerships with the cruise industry, these ports are exploring the possibility of creating the world’s first “Green Corridor” for cruise ships, stretching from Seattle to Alaska. For more details on the updated initiative, go to: portofseattle.org.
[ signature addition ]
Signature Yachts Named Exclusive Beneteau Inboard Powerboat Dealer for the Pacific Northwest
Huzzah! Seattle-based Signature Yachts has been named the new, exclusive Beneteau Inboard Powerboat dealer for the Pacific Northwest. This new partnership promises to enhance the boating experience for enthusiasts in the region, combining the prestige of Signature Yachts with the innovative design and craftsmanship of Beneteau inboard powerboats.
Signature Yachts has a long-standing reputation for providing top-tier services and high-quality yachts, including Beneteau sailing yachts, Fountaine Pajot catamarans, and X Shore electric boats. The addition of Beneteau’s inboard powerboat models marks a significant expansion of their offerings.
Tori Parrott, president of Signature Yachts, expressed her excitement, “We are thrilled to be named the exclusive Beneteau Inboard Powerboat dealer for this region. This partnership allows us to provide customers with access to some of the finest inboard powerboats on the market, backed by the exceptional quality and reputation that both Beneteau and Signature Yachts are known for.”
Signature Yachts will feature the elegant and efficient Swift Trawler models, as well as the dynamic and versatile Gran Turismo models from Beneteau. These inboard powerboats are celebrated for their luxurious design, superior performance, and innovative features, catering to the diverse needs of boating enthusiasts. Customers are invited to visit Signature Yachts’ marina located off Westlake Avenue in Seattle to explore the latest models and receive expert guidance from their knowledgeable team.
To learn more about Signature Yachts and their exclusive partnership with Beneteau Inboard Powerboats, visit their website at: signature-yachts.com.
