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 Ports with vessel speed reducing underwater noise restrictions to reduce whale strike risk/air emissions St. Lawrence River Estuary
Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program What? A collaboration with marine transportation industries, conservation and environmental groups, First Nations, governments and scientists Why? T o better understand and reduce the cumulative impacts of commercial vessel activities on at-risk whales throughout the southwest coast of British Columbia, Canada Photo: Joan Lopez *Cetacean: order of whales, dolphins and porpoises
ECHO Program work areas Advancing projects and initiatives to inform threat reduction Physical Disturbance Environmental Contaminants Photo: Joan Lopez Acoustic Disturbance
How can vessel underwater noise be reduced? Quiet design, Quiet operating technology options and maintenance options Vessel EcoAction slow incentives 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 Haro Strait • Highest abundance July-Sept •
Initial evaluation of vessel slow down options (from pilot station to port) 18 slow down scenarios were compared and ranked for a range of different speeds and sub-areas 11kn, 12kn, Biological Impact = behavioural 14kn, • 16km, response (lost foraging time) in 80%,90% each sub-area Industry Impact = % of pilot • transits > 8hr Final mitigation value balances • biological and industry impact scores equally Biological Industry impact (B) impact (I) Mitigation value
Conclusion: vessel slow down options • T op four ranking scenarios examined • Haro Strait slow down to 11 11kn knots (rank #2) was the AWG’s preferred scenario • A voluntary vessel slow down trial was proposed to Haro Strait gather real world data • Vessel operator committee proposed • Economic impact assessment recommended
Voluntary vessel slow down trial Trial parameters Why: T o study the relationship between vessel speed and underwater noise in a real world environment 11kn Where: ~16 nautical miles through critical whale foraging habitat in Haro Strait When: T wo month trial, Aug 7-Oct 6, 2017 What speed : 11 kn through 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 T rial Project Manager Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
How will participating vessel transits be affected? How much longer will each 11 kn transit take? Vessel Type Allow Calculations based on Bulk 30 minutes 2015 PPA dataset, additional time through Car Carrier 60 minutes transition zones and 11kn Container 60 minutes speed zone General Cargo 30 minutes Includes contingency Passenger 60 minutes No allowance for tidal Tanker 30 minutes current
How will vessel transits be affected? How many vessels will be within the 8 hour pilot threshold? 100% Tanker , 6 90% Already over 8 hr, Passang 34, 3.7% er, 1 80% General Cargo, 4 70% Contain er, 2 Under 8 hours, 827, 92.1% 60% New over 8 hrs, 37 , 50% 4.1% 40% Bulk Carrier, 30% 24 20% 10% Source: 2015 Transits for August/September 0%
How will trial participation affect pilotage cost? Additional Pilotage Cost No Total Additional Additional > 8hrs No. Calls 1 Hour Cost 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 No. Ship Fuel Net Voyage % Calls Time Savings 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: Additional fuel costs assuming delay time make-up is required Make No. Fuel Voyage % up Fuel Net Cost Calls Saving 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 11 4% 3,350 -1,061 2,289 Rupert 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: additional fuel costs assuming delay time make-up is required Makeup Fuel Net Voyage No. Calls Number Fuel Cost Savings 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 Economic Impact Analysis Likely stipend for Costs conducted by Seaport participation in ECHO Consulting research project Pilot time PPA and BCCP engagement, Transits over 8 hours are not cost review of data and confirmation expected to participate of data findings Scheduled Interviews with industry Transits resulting in possible Arrival late arrivals for scheduled gangs, tugs etc. are not expected to participate Tidal Engagement with BCCP May be favourable or current 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 14 days prior VFPA (T&P) notice (July 24) 14 days prior Notice to Industry PPA (July 24) First day of trial Notice to Shipping VPFA (Aug 7)
Trial operational communications, procedures and tracking plan Steps prior to vessel arrival at Brotchie 3-7 days before Step 1: At time of ETA to Brotchie nomination, agent to inform master about trial (Decision matrix checklist) Step 2: PPA to 4 days before ETA request if vessel to Brotchie intends to participate Step 3: Master may 24 hours before radio MCTS operator ETA to Brotchie re: trial
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 24 hours before remind agent of trial & ETA to Brotchie gauge intent to participate Step 5: Master to Approaching the confirm pilot boarding 12nm limit / Juan time to allow for early de Fuca arrival to Brotchie BCCP may remind pilot of trial Step 6: Pilot & Master The pilot arrives decide to participate, on board VFPA to log
Trial operational communications, procedures and tracking plan Step 7: Vessel participates in the trial by slowing down to 11kn through water in Haro Strait
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