Transportation and Toxics EJ Summer Updates

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Ocean-Going Freight Activities 

2023 Update #8

 

 

Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) Regulation

On December 30, 2022, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved amendments to the Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) Regulation, section 93118.5, title 17, chapter 1, subchapter 7.5, and section 2299.5, title 13, division 3, chapter 5.1 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR).  The Amended CHC Regulation went into effect January 1, 2023. 


The amended CHC Regulation will reduce emissions from harbor craft operated near California’s coast and improve public health in nearby communities. The amendments also have Zero Emission and Advanced Technology requirements, incentives, and requires shore power while at dock to limit engine idling. This measure will help mitigate emissions in portside communities. By 2035, the amended CHC Regulation is expected to result in an 89 percent reduction of diesel particulate matter and a 52 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides from harbor craft. The amended regulation will also reduce the cancer risk to over 22 million residents who live near the coast and up to 50 miles inland. More Information

There are several types of harbor craft in California, including crew and supply boats, fishing vessels, ferries, excursion vessels, tug boats, barges, dredges, and other vessel types. Since the original adoption of the Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) regulation in 2008 and its amendment in 2010, CHC vessel owners have replaced older engines with newer and cleaner engines, which reduced the emissions of air pollutants, including diesel particulate matter (DPM), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulfur (SOx), reactive organic gases (ROG), and greenhouse gases (GHG). 

In 2022, a new set of amendments was adopted to expand the applicability of the regulation to more vessel types and require cleaner upgrades and newer technology. The 2022 Amendments provide significant health benefits and avoid premature death and mortality. The regulation also protects workers and on-vessel passengers from exposure to diesel and other combustion-generated air pollutants.

The Amendments and other elements of the public rulemaking process can be accessed on CARB's Rulemaking Activity page. Staff has posted updated factsheets for many aspects of the regulation, such as opacity testing, compliance extensions, and renewable diesel, on the Factsheets page. Past workshop materials are available on the Meetings and Workshops page.

Updates Regarding the Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) Regulation 

Under the Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation, vessel operators are expected to report data about their vessels. CARB staff have posted a list of all reported vessels on the official website. The Reported Vessels list does not contain any personally identifiable or confidential information. CARB staff will make every effort to update this list monthly.


The Reported Vessels list reflects information reported by vessel operators and reviewed by CARB staff. It does not indicate compliance with the Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) Regulation and does not include all CHC operating in Regulated California Waters. Vessels not appearing on this list may be compliant with the CHC regulation. CHC CARB Reported Vessel Data (Updated 06/23/2023) Press Release


If you would like to discuss any of the above topics, you can reach out to Amanda Anderson at, Amanda.anderson@arb.ca.gov, or at 279-208-7163.