Upcoming Requirements in the Regulation for Fuel Sulfur and Other Operational Requirements for Ocean-Going Vessels within California Waters and 24 Nautical Miles of the California Baseline (California OGV Fuel Regulation). The California OGV Fuel Regulation, which has been enforced since July 2009, provides significant air quality benefits by requiring ships to use cleaner, low sulfur marine distillate fuel in ship main engines, auxiliary  engines, and boilers. The purpose of this advisory is to notify owners and operators of upcoming changes in the fuel sulfur requirements beginning August 1, 2012 and to remind operators that they must comply with both the California OGV Fuel Regulation and the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements.
What are the upcoming changes in the maximum allowable fuel sulfur content requirements under the California OGV Fuel Regulation?
Beginning August 1, 2012 the maximum fuel sulfur (S) limit for marine gas oil (DMA) will decrease from 1.5% to 1.0% S. The maximum fuel S limit for marine diesel oil (DMB) will continue to be 0.5% S. These requirements are summarized in Table 1 and are enforced within the California OGV regulatory zone, which is 24 nm off the coast of California, including the islands.
Do ships visiting California ports have to comply with both the California OGV Fuel Regulation and the ECA?
Yes. Ships must meet both the requirements of the California OGV Fuel Regulation and the ECA. Information on the ECA, which is scheduled to begin implementation on August 1, 2012, can be found at:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/oceanvessels.htm#north-american
Why does California continue to enforce the California OGV Fuel Regulation when the ECA is also being implemented?
It is important for the California OGV Fuel Regulation to continue to be enforced until ECA implementation provides equivalent emission reductions. This is not expected to occur until 2015 when the ECA fuel sulfur limit is 0.1% S. This is because the ECA does not require the use of marine distillate fuels. Significantly more emission reductions are realized when ships use marine distillate fuel as opposed to heavy fuel oil. Because of this and due to the immediate need to improve air quality and public health in California, the California OGV Fuel Regulation will continue to be enforced.
How can I get more information?
This advisory is only a summary of the requirements and does not contain all the information that may be needed to comply with the regulation. The regulation can be found at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2011/ogv11/ogv11.htm
Source: CARB