Green maritime An industrial vision for a changing climate

Forthcoming Arc Ecology Report Shows the Environmental and Economic Potential for Developing Bay Area “Green” Maritime Industry.

The Suisun Bay Mothball Fleet is just one example of the effects of the Maritime Industry on our local and global environment. The US EPA’s website on energy indicates that there are 5,200 Power Stations in the United States, the majority of which generate electricity through the burning of fossil fuels. There are currently 54,000 cargo vessels plying the world’s oceans all of which burn heavy sulfurous bunker oil. When one includes Ferries, Tug Boats, Cruise Ships, Navies, and personal vessels into
this total and it becomes quickly clear that the impact on the global environment is enormous and of great concern.

Enter Green Maritime
Since 2003 the European Union and nations like Japan have become aware that the solution to this problem is the greening of the world’s maritime and Naval fleets.

Recently Region 9 EPA announced that switching cruise ships docked in San Francisco to shore side electrical connections will reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 tons a year. While important, cruise vessels represents a fraction of the Bay Area’s ship visits and just scratches the tip of the environmental impacts and industrial opportunity.

Green Maritime Bay Area
In 2011 Arc Ecology will be launching a major initiative to draw attention to the environmental need for and the economic benefits of establishing a major green maritime industrial presence in the Bay Area. Watch this space for notice of the report’s publication and availability.