EPA proposes standards to reduce impact of discharges from commercial vessels

A USCG inspector peers through a refractometer at a sample of ballast water. USCG photo.

Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed standards to reduce the environmental impact of discharges, such as ballast water, that are incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels.

When finalized, the new rule will streamline the current patchwork of federal, state, and local requirements that apply to the commercial vessel community and better protect our nation’s marine waters, the EPA said.

“This proposal marks an important milestone in the Trump administration’s...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/epa-proposes-standards-to-reduce-impact-of-discharges-from-commercial-vessels/

Career Tracks: Höegh and Elemica get new CEOs

Andreas Enger will become the chief executive officer of Höegh Autoliners on Sept. 8.

Current CEO Thor Jørgen Guttormsen will continue to support the company as non-executive director and senior adviser.

Enger has served as Höegh’s chief financial officer since September 2019 and worked closely with Guttormsen on the company’s strategy and operating model. 

Enger will continue to chair Posten, Norway’s state-owned postal service. 

Prior to joining Höegh autoliners, Enger was a partner at Deloitte....

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/career-tracks:-hoegh-and-elemica-get-new-ceos

Final rule published to repeal 2015 clean water rule

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers have published a final rule to repeal the 2015 Clean Water Rule: Definition of ‘‘Waters of the United States’’ (2015 Rule). The rule will amend portions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and restore the regulatory text that existed prior to the 2015 Rule.

The agencies will implement the pre-2015 Rule regulations informed by applicable agency guidance documents and consistent with Supreme Court decisions and...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/final-rule-published-to-repeal-2015-clean-water-rule/

EPA rule would address Tier 4 high-speed vessel concerns

The Savannah Bar Pilots boat Georgia. The pilots' requirements for a new vessel currently cannot be met with Tier 4-compliant engines, the EPA says. Vigor photo

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would address concerns associated with finding and installing certified Tier 4 marine diesel engines in certain high-speed commercial vessels.

Under the rule, the EPA would provide additional lead time for qualifying engines and vessels. The EPA is also making a technical correction to diesel fuel regulations to allow fuel manufacturers and distributors to make distillate diesel fuel that...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/epa-proposed-rule-would-address-tier-4-concerns/

EPA extends time for Tier 4 emissions compliance

The Savannah Bar Pilots boat Georgia. The pilots' requirements for a new vessel currently cannot be met with Tier 4-compliant engines, the EPA says. Vigor photo

Georgia ship pilots, New England offshore lobster fishermen and their boat builders will get three more years to meet Tier 4 emission standards for their lightweight and high-powered diesel engines, with a proposed extension from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In a notice published Monday EPA officials outlined their intent to give certain classes of high-speed vessels more time, given the technical challenges designers and builders face cramming in new emission controls.

The offshore...

https://www.workboat.com/news/shipbuilding/epa-extends-time-for-tier-4-emissions-compliance/

EPA’s Wheeler discusses marine litter and waste at G7 meeting

U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler meets with U.S. stakeholders from Ocean Conservancy and LyondellBasell. EPA photo

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler hosted U.S. stakeholders at the G7 Environmental Ministers meeting in Metz, France, Sunday to discuss ways the government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector can work to curb marine litter and waste.

He was joined by representatives from the Ocean Conservancy, LyondellBasell, and the American Chemistry Council. Each minister at the G7 was invited to host a private sector and non-governmental organization...

https://www.workboat.com/news/bluewater/epas-wheeler-discusses-marine-litter-and-waste-at-g7-meeting/

Change oil and air filters regularly, engine expert stresses

Changing the oil and air filters in your engine will extend the life of the engine. That hasn't changed. MTU photo

Buying a new or even a used boat is usually an exciting experience. Maintaining and repairing that boat is not nearly as much fun.

Jeff Sherman is senior sales manager with MTU Americas. Currently, he is responsible for the workboat market in North America. He joined MTU back in 1999, when it was Detroit Diesel, as a marine sales manager. His involvement in the marine industry goes back farther than that, so he has seen a lot over past few decades and shared some of his thoughts with those in...

https://www.workboat.com/news/change-oil-and-air-filters-regularly-engine-expert-stresses/

California vessel emissions rules could get even tougher

The San Francisco Bay ferry Hydrus was designed for Tier 4 performance to meet California's strict air quality rules. Incat Crowther photo.

Air pollution regulators are looking to tighten California’s air emissions rules for commercial vessels, already the strictest in the nation.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced its staff is beginning a new rulemaking process to modify the state’s existing Commercial Harbor Craft Rule.

Now in its implementation phase, the rule makes California the only state in the Union that requires most vessels with older engines – pre-dating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency diesel...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/california-vessel-emissions-rules-could-get-even-tougher/