Page 15: of Marine News Magazine (July 2022)

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OpEd

Emissions Regulations

Curtin Maritime

Do California’s Proposed Harbor Craft

Rules Threaten America’s Supply Chain?

By Martin Curtin, Founder & CEO, Curtin Maritime

Americans became aware of our nation’s supply chain problem when they witnessed modes of freight transportation, emitting 43% less green- a hundred cargo ships anchored off the ports of Long house gasses than rail and more than 800% less than trucks

Beach and Los Angeles, stymied from moving cargo to that move cargo over California’s already congested roads. store shelves throughout the United States. Such circum- Innovation is equally important in our industry—electric stances could become all too common, especially as re- tugboat research is ongoing, helping us achieve Governor cently adopted engine emission regulations force maritime Newsom’s climate change goal of zero-emissions.

companies out of the country’s most impacted ports, or The California Air Resources Board (CARB), a board limit their ability to expand operations as America’s de- largely appointed by Governor Newsom, is tasked with as- mand for imports and exports grows. sessing the health risks associated with engine emissions, and

Tugboats and barges support California’s essential role rightly so. Unfortunately, CARB’s recently adopted com- in global trade by moving millions of tons of freight, all mercial harbor craft (CHC) regulations depart from a long- while their owners prioritize reducing engine emissions. standing incentive-driven approach to improving air quality.

These vessels have an environmental advantage over other The regulations, which could go into effect next year, 16 | MN July 2022