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The port of Seattle has made significant reductions in regional air pollutants, according to the new Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy 2009 Implementation Report.

Port programs were found to successfully improve the air quality from shipping and cruise vessels berthing at port facilities, cargo handling equipment, and trucks serving port terminals.

The results represent the efforts of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, a partnership between the ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver, to support reductions in maritime and port-related diesel and greenhouse gas emissions in the Pacific Northwest.

"These results show that you don't have to choose between the right thing for the environment and the right thing for the economy," said Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani. "You can have both."

The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy was developed in 2007 to support reductions in maritime and port-related diesel and greenhouse gas emissions in the Pacific Northwest. The objectives of the strategy are to reduce regional air quality impacts as well as port related contributions to climate change.

ABC Fuels Program

The At-Berth Clean Fuels (ABC Fuels) Program was devised by the port of Seattle and shipping lines that call at Seattle in order to meet the goals of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy.

Vessels participating in ABC Fuels agree to use low sulphur fuel (0.5% or less) in their auxiliary engines while docked in Seattle. In exchange, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency helps defray the cost of the more expensive low sulphur fuel by providing participating vessels with $1,500 for each port call.

In 2009, 63 percent of vessels calling at the Port of Seattle either participated in the ABC Fuels Program or plugged in to shore power, also known as cold ironing.

Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy (NWPCAS)

Developed in close collaboration with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Washington Department of Ecology, US Environmental Protection Agency, and Environment Canada with input from stakeholders, customers, and citizens, the NWPCAS will result in emission reductions to further improve air quality throughout the region.

The strategy has three primary emissions reduction objectives:

* Reduce maritime and port-related air quality impacts on human health, the environment and the economy;

* Reduce the region's contribution to climate change through co-benefits associated with reducing air quality impacts; and

* Help the Georgia Basin-Puget Sound region continue to meet air quality standards and objectives.