Following an assessment by the California Air Resource Board (ARB), it has been concluded that the California Ocean-Going Vessel (OFV) Fuel Regulation will remain in effect for at least another two years.
This means that distillate fuel with <0.1% sulphur content must be used within 24 nautical miles of the coast of California.
Alternative methods of achieving equivalent emissions, such as exhaust gas treatment, will not be permitted.
The California Ocean-Going Vessel (OGV) Fuel Regulation includes a sunset provision that the regulation will cease to apply if the United States adopts and enforces requirements that will achieve equivalent emissions reductions.
In January 2015 an Emissions Control Area came in to force in all United States coastal waters. However under International Maritime Organization (IMO Regulation 3, California is able to exercise a temporary exemption from this.
The ARB stated “We conclude that the federal ECA alone would not likely achieve equivalent emission reductions within Regulated California Waters.
We plan to reevaluate in two years when the Regulation 3 exemption permits have expired. A two-year period will allow for the federal enforcement program to become established. “
ARB also stated that it will allow time for ARB staff to evaluate the potential emissions impacts from of the use of alternative technologies, such as exhaust gas scrubbers, and low sulphur heavy fuel oils.
