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Gard: RoRo and tanker vessels visiting California ports to be regulated

Roll-on/roll-off and tanker vessels will be added to the list of vessel types required to control their emissions while at berth in a California port from 1 January 2025, says Gard.
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Maritime protection and indemnity (P&I) club Gard on Monday (21 October) published an insight article on roll-on/roll off (ro/ro) vessels, and tanker vessels visiting the Ports of Los Angeles or Long Beach, will be regulated from 1 January 2025: 

California’s regulation for ocean going vessels at berth

Since 2014, the California Resource Board (CARB) has regulated emissions from container, refrigerated cargo (reefer), and passenger vessels that visit certain state ports. Following the positive results of this regulation, and in an effort to further reduce the public’s exposure to air pollution caused by commercial vessels that visit California ports and terminals, its new ‘2020 At Berth Regulation’ took effect on 1 January 2021. 

The new regulation continues to cover emissions from container, reefer and passenger vessels, but also expands the requirements to more pollutants and vessel types. Furthermore, it determines the need for emission control regulation in each port based on the port’s annual vessel activity. The emission control requirements are phased in based on vessel type, and as of 1 January 2025, roll-on/roll off (ro/ro) vessels, and tanker vessels visiting the Ports of Los Angeles or Long Beach, will be regulated.

Key points for vessel operators

  • All vessels visiting a California port are subject to requirements of the 2020 At Berth Regulation.
  • Only container, reefer, passenger, ro/ro and tanker vessels are subject to emission control requirements. However, vessel types such as bulk and general cargo vessels must comply with other relevant obligations under the regulation, including opacity, or blackness of smoke, and visit reporting requirements. 
  • Low activity terminals are exempted from the emission control requirements. However, if a low activity terminal receives 20 or more visits per year from a regulated vessel type, for two consecutive calendar years, that terminal no longer qualifies for the low activity exemption for that vessel type and visiting vessels will be required to reduce emissions starting 1 January the following year. 
  • Vessels subject to emission control requirements must use a ‘CARB approved emission control strategy’ (CAECS) to control emissions for the duration of a visit. At the time of writing, compliance will most likely be achieved by the use of shore power and/or emissions capture and control systems. However, if a vessel wishes to use a strategy for compliance that is currently not approved for use, such as batteries or alternative fuels, they must apply for CARB approval of that strategy as a CAESC. 
  • Vessel operators must communicate with terminal operators in writing at least seven days before arrival to coordinate shore power and other CAECS needs. While ABS’ guide to terminal-supplied CAECS is a useful resource for planning ahead, a check with the local agent as to availability of CAECS at a specific port for the estimated visiting time can be recommended.

Be prepared

As the procedures and equipment needed for ro/ro and tanker vessels to comply with CARB’s emission control requirements could be quite extensive and costly, we advise ship operators trading to California ports to familiarise themselves with the 2020 At Berth Regulation and the control strategies currently approved by CARB. The preparatory work to ensure timely compliance should not be postponed, and the following sources of information are recommended:

 

Photo credit: Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash
Published: 22 October, 2024

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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