For current program information, please visit www.BlueWhalesBlueSkies.org.
This page and the additional webpage links below contain historical background information on prior VSR Programs.
Webpage Links: Previous Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Programs | Local Studies & Actions | Initiatives | 2007 Retrofit Project
Background
Large ships are responsible for substantial amounts of worldwide emissions of black carbon, nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, sulfur, air toxics, and greenhouse gases. Shipping emissions have been included in District emission inventories since 1994, and the District has been working to raise awareness and calling for voluntary and regulatory measures to control these emissions. In Santa Barbara County, NOx emissions from ships traveling off our coast are a concern, as NOx emissions are involved in the formation of ozone. A continued focus on reducing marine shipping emissions is important to help the County maintain the health-protective ozone standard.
Reducing ship speeds cuts emissions of NOx and other pollutants, reduces the risk of fatal ship strikes on whales, and reduces underwater acoustic impacts. In 2014, The District and partners launched a Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Trial incentive program, which was modeled after successful programs at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. See 2014 VSR Trial Report. The 2014 Trial was followed by a yearlong effort in 2015 by the Marine Shipping Working Group under the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) Advisory Council to develop strategies to further reduce air pollution and protect whales in the region. The 2014-15 efforts of the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies partnership were recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a national Clean Air Excellence Award in 2016.
2021 Program Results
Global shipping companies reduced speeds off California coast to protect blue whales and blue skies. Program continues to expand and achieve environmental benefits
The 2021 VSR Program was implemented successfully from May 15 to November 15, 2021, as it included 545 vessels operated by 18 different shipping companies. For the 2021 Program, the requirements to reach each award tier were increased by 10% (i.e., Sapphire award starts at 85% fleet participation at 10 knots or less instead of 75% ). And for the fourth year in a row, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) was able to achieve the Sapphire tier, demonstrating that ships can reduce speeds in VSR zones without disrupting operations. MSC traveled more than 23,000 nautical miles at 10 knots or less for the 2021 Program. Swire Shipping also achieved the Sapphire tier with 1,500 nautical miles at 10 knots or less. For their outstanding commitment, these two companies earned the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Whale Tail award.
Thank you to all of the participants, as your contributions help reduce air pollution, lower the risk of fatal ship strikes on endangered whale populations, and reduce ocean noise that can interfere with whale communication and feeding.
2020 Program Results
Sixteen shipping companies slowed to protect blue whales and blue skies, cutting over 700 tons of smog-forming emissions.
The voluntary incentive program, where companies were asked to reduce speeds to 10 knots or less in both the Southern California Region and in the San Francisco Bay Area, started on May 15 and ended on November 15, 2020. For the 2020 season, the VSR zones were greatly expanded by including more navigable waters in Southern California. Even though the incentives remained largely the same, the companies rose to the challenge and slowed their ships down even more than previous years, further reducing air pollution and making the ocean safer and quieter for whales. Five companies earned the coveted sapphire award and nine companies earned the gold award. The Blue Whales and Blue Skies partners appreciate all the effort that these companies have been making, and recognition advertisements will be coordinated throughout the year to celebrate their continued successes.
2019 Program Results
Fifteen shipping companies slowed to protect blue whales and blue skies, reducing more than 530 tons of smog-forming emissions.
The voluntary incentive program, where companies were asked to reduce speeds to 10 knots or less in both the Santa Barbara Channel Region and in the San Francisco Bay Area, started on May 15 and ended on November 15, 2019. See news release issued May 19, 2020. Although COVID-19 public health guidelines prevented an in-person awards event, the companies received trophies, plaques, and certificates according to their levels of achievement. Shown below are the whale tail statues for the four Sapphire companies – MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, Polynesia Line, and GALI – and the plaques for the seven Gold companies – COSCO, NYK Ro-Ro, Evergreen, Maersk, “K” Line, PIL, and CMA CGM.
2018 VSR Recognition Ceremony
In March 2019, the partners recognized the twelve participating shipping companies at a ceremony for the 2018 VSR program. The ceremony was held at Bannings Landing near the Port of Los Angeles. See news release here.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) accepting their award with program partners (left to right): Chris Mobley (NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary), Lisa Volgenau (Volgenau Foundation), Dan Howard (NOAA Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary), Stanley Kwiaton (MSC), Valerian Riviere (MSC), Mike Villegas (Ventura County APCD), David Pollock (Board Member for VCAPCD), Molly Pearson (Santa Barbara County APCD), Michael Murphy (Bay Area AQMD)
Twelve shipping companies participated in the 2018 Vessel Speed Reduction incentive program, and were recognized at a March 6 event. Pictured are representatives from the shipping companies along with program partners. Shipping companies include: MSC, GALI, K-Line, NYK Ro-Ro, Hyundai Glovis, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, CMA-CGM, ONE, and Yang Ming.
2017 VSR Recognition Ceremony
In March 2018, the partners recognized the eleven participating shipping companies at a ceremony for the 2017 VSR program. The ceremony was held at Bannings Landing near the Port of Los Angeles. See news release here.
Partner agencies and organizations: Lisa Fasano (BAAQMD), Jack Broadbent (BAAQMD), Mary Byrd (SBCAPCD), Mike Villegas (VCAPCD), Aeron Arlin Genet (SBCAPCD), Kris Sarri (National Marine Sanctuary Foundation), U.S. Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), William Douros (NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries), Lisa Volgenau (Volgenau Foundation), Tyler Harris (VCAPCD), Chris Mobley (CINMS), Michael Murphy (BAAQMD)
Pictured are representatives from ten of the eleven companies: CMA CGM; Evergreen; Hamburg Sud, Hapag Lloyd, Hyundai, K Line, Maersk, Matson, MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company); and Yang Ming. [Not pictured: NYK Ro-Ro Division.]
2016 VSR Recognition Ceremony
In January 2017, the partners recognized the ten participating shipping companies at a ceremony for the 2016 VSR program. The ceremony was held at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. See news release here.
Recognition ceremony sponsors and participants (left to right): Steven D. Gaines (National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Trustee, and Dean for UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science & Management), Jessica Morten (CINMS), Chris Mobley (CINMS), Sean Hastings (CINMS), CT Chen (Evergreen Line), Mary Byrd (SBCAPCD), Tyler Harris (Ventura County APCD), Ignacio Rodriguez (K Line), Mike Villegas (VCAPCD), Roderick A. Wagoner (MOL America), Aeron Arlin Genet (SBCAPCD), Eduardo A. Cestafe (Hapag Lloyd), Lisa Volgenau (Volgenau Foundation), Lyz Hoffman (SBCAPCD), Rose Muller (Starcrest LLC), Naomi Kovacs (representing Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf), Lauren Volgenau Knapp (Volgenau Foundation)
2014 Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Forum
This free forum was sponsored by Santa Barbara County APCD, NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Environmental Defense Center, and the UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science and Management.
- Agenda
- Presentation by Wayne Miller of University of California at Riverside showing emission-reduction benefits of ship speed reduction.
- “In-use Emissions Test Program at VSR Speeds for Oceangoing Container Ship“
Speakers and participants in the forum (left to right): Brad Winney (Conserve.IO, Whale Alert developer), Linda Parks (Ventura County 2nd District Supervisor), Mike Villegas (Ventura County APCD), Dave Van Mullem (Santa Barbara County APCD), Brian Shafritz (SBCAPCD), Sean Herron (CINMS), Kristi Birney (Environmental Defense Center), Wayne Miller (UC Riverside), Sean Hastings (CINMS), TL Garrett (Pacific Merchant Shipping Association), Steve Gaines (UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science and Management), Elgin Pallay (Maersk Line), Sharyn Main (Santa Barbara Foundation), Mary Byrd (SBCAPCD), Mike Murray (CINMS).
Additional Information
- The District’s Board receives updates periodically on the program, see:
- May 2022 Presentation on the 2021 VSR results.
- May 2021 Presentation on the 2020 VSR results.
- June 2020 Presentation on the 2019 VSR results.
- March 2019 Presentation on the 2018 VSR results
- June 2018 Presentation on the 2018 VSR Program start
- March 2018 Presentation on the 2017 VSR results
- January 2017 Presentation on the 2016 VSR results
- August 2016 Presentation on the Clean Air Excellence Award
- March 2016 Presentation to create the 2016 VSR Program
- October 2014 Presentation on the 2014 VSR Trial
- June 2014 Presentation to create the 2014 VSR Trial
- Blue Whales & Blue Skies Act, introduced in U.S. Congress Sept. 6, 2017, and our news release announcing its introduction. Although this bill wasn’t finalized, it laid the groundwork for more recent legislation, such as SB 69 – Ocean Resiliency Act of 2019.
- Blue Whales & Blue Skies Media Clips from 2015
- In 2015 and 2016, the District was a client for a group project by Masters Students at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. The group presented findings of its study, titled “The Value of Non-Market Goods: Whale Conservation and Human Health Benefits from Vessel Speed Reduction in the Santa Barbara Channel,” in April 2016. For more information see the project website.
