In January the sulphur content in fuel was reduced from 1.0 to 0.1 per cent in the short-sea shipping area around Gothenburg (Baltic, North Sea and English Channel). Measurements now show that sulphur emissions have fallen by 80 per cent at the Port of Gothenburg. The measurements are being carried out using a ‘sniffer’ located at the Älvsborg Fortress, in the fairway leading in to the port.The sniffer has been developed by Chalmers University of Technology with support from Vinnova, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and Gothenburg Port Authority. The sniffer measures the sulphur and carbon dioxide levels in the gas emissions, thus revealing the sulphur content in the fuel.

During the first few weeks of this year, the emission plume from around 200 passing ships was measured. It is estimated that 80 per cent of these were approved whilst for 20 per cent the sulphur emissions were too high.

“It is incredibly positive to see that the new rules are having such an effect and that sulphur emissions are falling. At the same time there is still uncertainty regarding the control system for vessels that are failing to comply with the rules. The industry has reason to be concerned that less serious shipping companies will not follow the rules and that this will lead to a distortion in competition,” said Edvard Molitor, Senior Manager Environment at the Port of Gothenburg.

The Port of Gothenburg hopes that sniffer technology will be used to check compliance with the Sulphur Directive.

Checklist for the following proposal:

Description of the Proposed Action: The Port of Seattle Terminal 5 Wharf Rehabilitation and Berth Deepening project consists of modifications to existing container facilities, including cargo wharf rehabilitation, berth deepening, and electrical service capacity and utility improvements. Individual elements of the project include:

Rehabilitation of the Existing Wharf – The existing 2900-linear-foot cargo wharf would be rehabilitated to allow the structural elements of the wharf to accommodate cargo crane equipment required to serve super Post-Panamax container vessels.

Berth Deepening
– The proposed project includes dredging and sediment disposal necessary to deepen adjacent vessel berth depth to up to -55 feet MLLW plus appropriate allowances for advanced maintenance and over depth to match cargo wharf ability to serve increased capacity container ships.

Upgrade Electrical, Water, and Stormwater Systems 

The project proposes to upgrade the electrical supply and distribution for increased loads, remove and replace dockside water distribution system and water, and stormwater systems improvements as required as needed to accommodate the rehabilitated cargo wharf and support ongoing operations.

Location of Proposed Action: The project site is located at Terminal 5 ,on the west margin of the West Waterway, in southwest Elliott Bay, Seattle, Washington (Range 3 East, Township 24 North, and Sections 12 and 13). The project area coincides with the existing wharf area approximately 2,900 linear feet long and approximately 110 feet wide, and the adjoining berth area, extending approximately 175 feet east from the water-ward margin of the existing Terminal 5 wharf. Electrical system and utility upgrades coincides with a small portion of the upland cargo marshaling area near the entrance to the facility.

Lead Agency: Port of Seattle (SEPA No. 15-03)

Determination: The Port of Seattle for this proposal has determined that it will not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. As such, an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under the provisions of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (RCW 43.21, WAC 197-11) and Port of Seattle SEPA Policies and Procedures (Port Commission Resolution 3650). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information which is available upon request. Any action to set aside, enjoin, review, or otherwise challenge such action on the grounds of noncompliance with the provisions of Chapter 43.21C RCW (State Environmental Policy Act) shall be commenced within 21 days from the date of last newspaper publication of the notice or be barred.

Supporting Information: Information used to reach this determination, and applicable State laws and Port of Seattle policies, regulations, and procedures are available for public review at the Port of Seattle office, at the Engineering Services Dept., Second Floor Bid Counter, Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle. The document is also available for review online at http://www.portseattle.org/Environmental/Environmental-Documents/SEPA-NEPA/Pages/default.aspx

Public and Agency Comment: No action will be taken on this proposal until after the 14-day public comment period expires at 4:00 PM on March 23, 2015. The Port will accept public and agency comments until 4:00 PM on March 23, 2015. Please refer any questions relating to
this determination or to the proposed actions to Paul Meyer, Port of Seattle,
Environmental Services, P.O. Box 1209, Seattle, WA 98111, and Telephone:
206-787-3127 or the Port of Seattle electronic mail Internet address at SEPA.p@portseattle.org. Include your mailing address when submitting comments to the electronic Internet address. The
Port will consider comments and publish a final threshold determination no sooner than twenty-one (21) days from the date of this notice.

Appeals: This SEPA DNS determination may be appealed by filing a writ of review in King County Superior Court within twenty-one (21) days of the date the Port formally adopts this determination pursuant to Port of Seattle Resolution No. 3211 and RCW 43.21C.080.

ABP Director Humber, John Fitzgerald, Alan Johnson MP and Hull City Council’s Head of Economic Development Mark Jones were named ‘Renewables Champions’ for their work on Green Port Hull and bringing Siemens to the city.

Judges said: “In such a momentous year for the renewables industry, judges felt it was only right this accolade went to three people who played a key part in bringing Siemens to Hull. Alan Johnson had a huge role behind the scenes, talking to the main players, using his influence to secure political support and never losing sight of the end goal.

“Hull City Council was also important in the deal and Mark Jones’s input was vital. Those who know Mark well say he was always on the job, constantly in touch with decision-makers and tirelessly working to get a result.

“As Humber director for ABP, John Fitzgerald represented the landowner which is hosting Green Port Hull. Without the company’s vision, none of this would be happening.”

On his part in making sure the City’s biggest ever package of inward investment was finally delivered John Fitzgerald said: “The fact that this award has been given to three people demonstrates that the delivery of the Siemens project has been a huge team effort. More than that, it secures ABP’s role in driving forward the green revolution which is creating a whole new energy sector.

“All of us collecting awards tonight represent large teams of people who are, and will continue to, work tirelessly to make sure the project is up and running by 2017. That includes people from ABP, the City Council, Parliament and Siemens themselves, along with everyone else across the city that have supported our vision.

“I’m humbled by the award, which I accept on behalf of everyone at ABP, but more importantly, I’m enormously proud to be involved in an emerging sector that will deliver so many benefits for the people of this City and the Humber region, and will ensure the UK is at the forefront of a renewables future.”

Awards were also handed out to Drax Power Ltd, one of ABP’s largest customers. The company was handed the Renewables Innovation Award for its work converting to low-carbon energy generation, transforming the largest coal-fired power station in north western Europe to predominantly biomass fuelled.

ABP has invested £130 million across the Humber on facilities dedicated handling up to four million tonnes of biomass each year for Drax, to support this conversion. Those facilities were themselves recognised by the Awards judges when GRAHAM Construction was named as the winner in the Best Renewables Project for their work building the Immingham Renewable Fuels Terminal (IRFT). When complete IRFT will be the World’s largest dedicated biomass handling facility.

GRAHAM Construction is also working as part of a Joint Venture with Lagan Construction Group on the enabling works at Hull’s Alexandra Dock to prepare the site for the Siemens development.

Photo: Humber Renewables Champion awards winners presented by Neil Franklin of Rollits, left, are, Tracy Windle on behalf of Alan Johnson MP, Mark Jones from Hull City Council and ABP Director Humber, John Fitzgerald (image courtesy of Hull Daily Mail