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Flowing forward
A new approach to emissions capture in California is helping Vopak demonstrate its dedication to sustainability
Leading independent tank storage company Vopak has been at the forefront of fundamental transformations for more than 400 years. Now with its partners and customers, Vopak is accelerating the development of infrastructure solutions for hydrogen, ammonia, CO₂, battery energy storage systems, and low-carbon fuels and feedstocks – paving the way to a more sustainable future.
With a total of 78 terminals, Vopak’ s extensive tank network helps clients navigate the global flow of supply and demand, create new connections, and embrace opportunities that drive progress.
Shining the spotlight on Vopak’ s US West Coast operations and its two strategically located sea terminals, at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, Energy, Oil & Gas speaks to Brandon Friend, Site Director, West Coast, Vopak Terminal Los Angeles, Inc. He begins by introducing a new technology that could be a game changer in emissions capture.
The solution has been introduced to address the new California Air Resources Board( CARB) Ocean-Going Vessels At Berth regulation, which aims to reduce emissions from ships docked at California ports and improve public health by decreasing exposure to harmful pollutants. It now requires tankers and several other vessel classes to use a CARB-Approved Emission Control Strategy( CAECS) or shore power when docked at regulated terminals in California, specifically including the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for tankers.
Having considered the available solutions that would help them conform to the new regulations, the Vopak team made a bold decision and embarked on a trailblazing project to introduce a barge-based emissions capture system for tankers.“ This barge technology is really the first of its kind and we’ re excited to see it coming together,” says Brandon.“ We partnered with Clean Air Engineering Maritime( CAEM) in 2023 to start on this project, and it’ s been a very successful implementation.
“ We can’ t take the credit for the solution as CAEM developed and purpose-built these barges. They are a pioneering piece of technology that have been designed to safely provide service to tankers.” The barge captures and treats emissions directly from tankers while they are docked, thanks to an
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