Vessel slowdown trial: Info session breakfast Presented by: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority April 27, 2017
Morning Overview Welcome Overview of ECHO program and vessel slowdown trial Overview of industry considerations Trial operational procedures Trial participation Discussion & Q&A
Welcome Robin Silvester President and CEO Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Video message not included)
Overview of ECHO program and trial Orla Robinson ECHO Program Manager Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Whales in our waters Canadian and US Species at Risk recovery strategies identify key threats Whales use sound to find food, communicate and navigate Only 78 southern resident killer whales (SKRW) remaining Critical habitat overlaps with shipping lanes Photo: BeamReach
Whale-vessel interactions - emerging issues internationally Guidelines for measuring and reducing underwater noise Ports with vessel speed restrictions to reduce whale strike risk/air emissions St. Lawrence River Estuary
Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program What? A collaborationwith marine transportation industries, conservation and environmental groups, First Nations, governments and scientists Why?To better understand and reduce the cumulative impacts of commercial vessel activities on at-risk whales throughout the southwest coast of British Columbia, Canada *Cetacean: order of whales, dolphins and porpoises Photo: Joan Lopez
ECHO Program work areas Advancing projects and initiatives to inform threat reduction Physical Disturbance Environmental Contaminants Acoustic Disturbance Photo: Joan Lopez
How can vessel underwater noise be reduced? Quiet design, technology and maintenance options Quiet operating options EcoAction incentives Vessel slow down trial
Trial overview
Southern resident killer whale vessel interactions SRKW studies indicate: Relative SRKW density May Sept SRKW behavioural response to noise 94% of SRKW behavioural responses in model area occur between May-Nov 26% of them take place in HaroStrait Highest abundance July-Sept
Initial evaluation of vessel slow down options (from pilot station to port) 18slow down scenarios were compared and ranked for a range of different speeds and sub-areas Biological Impact = behavioural response (lost foraging time) in each sub-area Industry Impact = % of pilot transits > 8hr Final mitigation value balances biological and industry impact scores equally 11kn, 12kn, 14kn, 16km, 80%,90% Biological impact (B) Industry impact (I) Mitigation value
Conclusion: vessel slow down options Top four ranking scenarios examined HaroStrait slow down to 11 knots (rank #2) was the AWG s preferred scenario A voluntary vessel slow down trial was proposed to gather real world data Vessel operator committee proposed Economic impact assessment recommended Haro Strait 11kn
Voluntary vessel slow down trial 11kn Trial parameters Why:To study the relationship between vessel speed and underwater noise in a real world environment Where: ~16 nautical miles through critical whale foraging habitat in Haro Strait When: Two month trial, Aug 7-Oct 6, 2017 What speed: 11 knthrough the water
What does a successful trial look like? High vessel participation rates with minimum impacts to industry Robust data with which to: confirm the relationship between speed and underwater noise confirm the relationship between reduced underwater noise and threats to at-risk whales
Industry considerations Chris Hall Vessel Slowdown Trial Project Manager Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
How will participating vessel transits be affected? How much longer will each 11 kntransit take? Vessel Type Bulk Car Carrier Container General Cargo Passenger Tanker Allow 30 minutes 60 minutes 60 minutes 30 minutes 60 minutes 30 minutes Calculations based on 2015 PPA dataset, additional time through transition zones and 11kn speed zone Includes contingency No allowance for tidal current
How will vessel transits be affected? How manyvessels will be within the 8 hour pilot threshold? 100% 90% Tanker, 6 Under 8 hours, 827, Already over 8 hr, 34, 3.7% 80% 70% Passang er, 1 General Cargo, 4 Contain er, 2 92.1% New over 8 hrs, 37, 4.1% 60% 50% 40% 30% Bulk Carrier, 24 20% 10% Source: 2015 Transits for August/September 0%
How will trial participation affect pilotage cost? Additional Pilotage Cost Total No. Calls No Additional Cost Additional 1 Hour > 8hrs Bulk 427 60% 28% 12% Car Carrier 77 25% 75% 0% Container 250 22% 77% 1% General Cargo 61 59% 30% 11% Passenger 27 70% 30% 0% Tanker 56 64% 20% 16% Total 898 47% 45% 8% Average $0 $208 $1,440 We do not expect participation of vessels where the transit time is assessed by the Pilot and Master to be at risk of triggering excess charges (i.e. >8hrs).
How will trial participation affect fuel costs? Bulk & Tanker: Additional fuel and ship time costs assuming delay time make-up is not required Voyage No. Calls % Ship Time Fuel Savings Net Cost Bulk & General Cargo 488 90% $ 180 -$ 229 -$49 Tanker 56 10% 270 256 14 Total 544 100% We do not expect participation of vessels where the transit time is assessed by the Pilot and Master to be at risk of triggering excess charges (i.e. >8hrs).
How will trial participation affect fuel costs? Container Ships: Additionalfuelcostsassuming delay time make-up is required Voyage No. Calls % Make up Fuel Cost Fuel Saving Net Cost To/from Asia 96 38% $1,876 -$1,061 $815 Out to California 15 6% 2,772-1,061 1,711 In from Prince Rupert 11 4% 3,350-1,061 2,289 To/from PNW Ports 128 51% 2,466-1,061 1,405 Total/Average 250 100% $2,296 $1,061 $1,235 We do not expect participation where transits are expected to result in delayed arrival for scheduled gangs, tugs etc.
How will trial participation affect fuel costs? Cruise ships: additionalfuelcostsassuming delay time make-up is required Voyage No. Calls Number Makeup Fuel Cost Fuel Savings Net Cost Seattle/Victoria 14 47% - -1,125-1,125 West Coast 10 33% 3,301-1,125 2,176 Hawaii 6 20% 3,301-1,125 2,176 Total 30 100% We do not expect participation where transits are expected to result in delayed arrival for scheduled gangs, tugs etc.
Addressing industry concerns Concern Investigation Response Overall Costs Pilot time cost Scheduled Arrival Tidal current Economic Impact Analysis conducted by Seaport Consulting PPAand BCCP engagement, review of data and confirmation of data findings Interviewswith industry Engagement with BCCP Likely stipend for participation in ECHO research project Transits over8 hours are not expected to participate Transits resulting in possible late arrivals for scheduled gangs, tugs etc. are not expected to participate Maybe favourable or unfavourable. Pilots will provide Favourable Windows sheet ahead of the trial
Trial operational communications, procedures and tracking Jeff Pelton Marine Operations Specialist Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
INDUSTRY CONSIDERATIONS: How can we encourage & measure participation? Steps prior to trial Meet with agents & industry On-going communications & engagements Issue Notices to Mariners Notices When Who Temporary and preliminary (T&P) notice Notice to Industry Notice to Shipping 14 days prior (July 24) 14 days prior (July 24) First day of trial (Aug 7) VFPA PPA VPFA
Trial operational communications, procedures and tracking plan Steps prior to vessel arrival at Brotchie Step 1:At time of nomination, agent to inform master about trial (Decision matrix checklist) Step 2: PPA to request if vessel intends to participate 3-7 days before ETA to Brotchie 4 days before ETA to Brotchie Step 3: Master may radio MCTS operator re: trial 24 hours before ETA to Brotchie
DECISION MATRIX CHECKLIST How can we mitigate delays to scheduled arrivals? Container: Am I going to meet my ETA for gangs? Bulkers: Am I going to arrive within my pilot window? Optimized windows Arrange for earlier arrival at Brotchie Pt. One-page Checklist for PPA Dispatch Prepared 2-3 days in Advance Showing Planned ETA at terminal/anchorage Signalling Intention to Participate Yes, Yes if ETA not affected, No Used by Pilot/Master at Bridge Watch Start to plan the transit
Trial operational communications, procedures and tracking plan Steps prior to vessel arrival at Brotchie(con t) Step 4: VFPA to remind agent of trial & gauge intent to participate Step 5: Master to confirm pilot boarding time to allow for early arrival to Brotchie BCCP may remind pilot of trial Step 6: Pilot & Master decide to participate, VFPA to log 24 hours before ETA to Brotchie Approaching the 12nmlimit / Juan de Fuca The pilot arrives on board
Trial operational communications, procedures and tracking plan Step 7: Vessel participates in the trial by slowing down to 11kn through water in Haro Strait
Trial operational communications, procedures and tracking plan Steps throughout trial Step I: Report on participation & reasons for opt-out Within 10 days of trial start & ongoing throughout trial Step II:Provide feedback to agencies or companies that are participating Within 10 days of trial start & ongoing throughout trial Step III: Cancel Notices, ECHO team to communicate results Upon completion of the trial
Trial participation
Why participate? Critically endangered species Support evidence based decision making Join world leading initiative Support corporate social responsibility goals Be recognized for participation Receive potential stipend for participation Varies based on vessel type
Confirmed intent to participate subject to conditions The following companies have confirmed their intent to participate, where operationally and economically feasible, on a transit by transit basis. Container Lines Zim COSCO Bulk Carriers Oldendorff Ferries Washington State Ferries Cruise Lines Carnival Celebrity Crystal Disney Holland America Norwegian Princess Ponant Royal Caribbean Regent Seabourn
Discussion and Q&A
How do we further support industry participation? What other materials and/or support do you need prior or during the trial? What are your recommendations to maximize participation? Any other suggestions to maximize trial success?
Next steps Participation survey Additional information will be shared through associations Continued exploration of recognition program and stipend Development of Participation Checklist Preparation of Favourable Windows sheet Notices to Mariners late July
Find out more about the trial For more information about the trial please contact us: echo@portvancouver.com portvancouver.com/echo Photo: Vancouver Aquarium/NOAA