Holly Galbreath, Air Quality Specialist II 805-303-3665
Tyler Harris, Planning, Rules and Incentives Manager 805-303-3661
This program publicizes shipping companies’ efforts to voluntarily reduce their speeds in the Santa Barbara Channel and other areas of the California coast. It is a collaborative effort among the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, other air districts, marine sanctuaries and nonprofit organizations.
Vessels traveling in shipping lanes through the Santa Barbara Channel are a significant source of air pollutants in Ventura County, with prevailing winds carrying them onshore. Reducing ship speeds decreases engine load and fuel consumption, which cuts emissions of nitrogen oxides, diesel particulate matter, sulfur compounds and greenhouse gases.
Since the program’s inception in 2014, participating vessels have slowed down for more than 1.2 million miles (1.1 million nautical miles), resulting in emission reductions of more than:
- 200,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases
- 5,900 tons of oxides of nitrogen
Slowing down also reduces the risk of fatal ship strikes to whale and the volume of underwater noise.
The program runs from May to December to coincide with the season when concentrations of ground-level ozone, or smog, are typically high and whales are migrating and feeding in the area. Automatic Identification System transponders transmit ships’ speed and location data, which is analyzed for each fleet.
History
The district partnered with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Environmental Defense Center to launch the program in 2014. It started in the Santa Barbara Channel with seven shipping lines. In 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the partnership’s 2014-15 efforts with a Clean Air Excellence Award.
The program has since spread to include more of the Southern California coast and a region covering San Francisco and Monterey bays.
Current partners are:
- Bay Area Air District
- Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory
- California Marine Sanctuary Foundation
- Monterey Bay Air Resources District
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Sanctuaries
- Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District
- San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District
- Ventura County Air Pollution Control District
2024 Results:
Forty-nine global shipping companies participated and slowed down to 11.5 miles (10 nautical miles) per hour or less for a combined 490,212 miles (425,983 nautical miles). This resulted in emission reductions of:
- 49,000 metric tons of regional greenhouse gases
- 1,400 tons of oxides of nitrogen
Among the 2024 participating fleets, the following 23 received the top-level Sapphire award for slowing down for 85% or more of the distance they traveled through the zones:
- CMA CGM
- Connaught Shipmanagement HK
- ConocoPhillips - Polar Tankers
- COSCO Shipping
- CSL Americas
- Hong Kong Top Honor Shipping
- ISM Ship Management Ltd.
- Maersk
- Marathon Petroleum
- Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC)
- NYK Ro-Ro
- Ocean Network Express
- Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL)
- OSG Ship Management Inc.
- Pillion Navigation
- Starbulk SA
- STX Marine Service Co.
- Swire Shipping
- Teo Shipping Corp.
- Tomini Transports LLC
- Toyofuji
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen
- Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Ambassadors:
The following companies and ports have become program ambassadors to demonstrate their commitment to shipping more sustainably and reducing their supply chains’ negative effects on biodiversity:
- Limoneira Co.
- Port of Hueneme
- Brighten Solar Co.
- Brist Mfg.
- Business & Pleasure Co.
- Eggboards
- JAS Worldwide
- Nomad
- Peak Design
- Santa Cruz Bicycles
- Sonos
- STAX
- Summit Coffee
- The Block Logistics
- Who Gives a Crap