Reducing diesel emissions from land,
from sea, from air

Diesel engines used in and around our region’s ports – powering ships, tugs, trains, trucks, supporting ground equipment, etc. – are believed to be significant generators of fine particle and toxic emissions, which is a growing concern for public health and a top priority of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

The greater Puget Sound region currently meets federal air quality standards; however, to maintain these standards and allow for healthy growth in our maritime trade, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has joined with public and private partners to reduce diesel emissions from these activities. Through the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum, these partners are working together to identify maritime-related sources – and ways to reduce diesel emissions from these activities.

Port-related Diesel Solutions partner projects have included switching vessels and equipment to cleaner fuels such as low sulfur and ultra-low sulfur diesel, biodiesel and compressed natural gas; retrofitting cruise ships to operate on electric shore power rather than diesel engine power while docked for hours during their port of call; and retrofitting dockside and airport equipment with emission-reduction technology.