Coast Guard Seeks Comments on Shipboard Air Emission Reduction Technology

The Coast Guard has published a Notice and Request for Comments on shipboard air emission reduction technologies, with comments due by January 18, 2011. Congress ordered the Coast Guard, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency, to carry out and report on a study of shipboard air emission reduction technologies in Section 305 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010. The Coast Guard is on a tight deadline, with its report due 180 days after signing of the Act, or April 13, 2011. 

In addition to being used to inform U.S. regulation of vessel air emissions, the study could well become an important element in the U.S. position in discussions at the International Maritime Organization with regard to further regulation of vessel air emissions under MARPOL Annex VI. Notably, the European Union has commissioned a similar study, which produce a report on "Regulating Air Emissions from Ships:  The State of the Art on Methodologies, Technologies and Policy Options." This is a good opportunity for ship owners, builders, and others to weigh in on the impact and feasibility of air emission reduction efforts on the shipping industry before the regulatory community imposes further restrictions and requirements on vessels.