California’s Port Revolution: How CARB’s New At-Berth Regulation Is Changing the Game for Ocean-Going Vessels and What It Means for Your Fleet

The maritime industry is experiencing a seismic shift as California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) implements its updated At-Berth Regulation, which took effect on January 1, 2023, with expansions continuing through 2027. This comprehensive regulation affects not just ocean-going vessels, but the entire ecosystem of port operations, including truck operators who service these massive ships at California’s busiest ports.

Understanding the New At-Berth Requirements

Each vessel visit to a regulated California port or marine terminal must use a CARB Approved Emission Control Strategy (CAECS) to control emissions for the duration of the visit, unless the visit qualifies for an exception or an alternative compliance option is used. The regulation targets pollutants like diesel particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), which significantly impact the environment and health of nearby communities.

Starting from January 1, 2025, tanker and Ro-Ro vessels must use a CARB Approved Emission Control Strategy (CAECS) while at berth in California ports, with tanker vessels visiting terminals in the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach being specifically targeted. From January 1, 2027, all regulated tanker terminal visits will be required to comply with the emissions controls.

What Port Truck Operators Need to Know

For truck operators servicing vessels at California ports, understanding these regulations is crucial for maintaining smooth operations. All vessels making any visit to any terminal on or after January 1, 2023, must report each vessel visit within 30 days of departure. This reporting requirement affects the entire port ecosystem, including trucking schedules and cargo handling operations.

Regulated marine terminals in California are those that receive 20 or more visits from regulated vessel categories in any calendar year, including the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, Benicia, Richmond, Carquinez Strait, Crockett, and Hueneme.

Compliance Options and Impact on Operations

Vessel operators have several compliance pathways available:

• Shore power—when a ship turns off its auxiliary engines and plugs into an on-shore electrical power supply—has been a common method of complying with these regulations
• Use of a CARB-approved exhaust capture and control system, with currently two companies (STAX Engineering and Clean Air Engineering Maritime) having plans for approved barge-based exhaust capture solutions for tankers
• Alternative compliance options include Vessel Incident Events (VIEs), Terminal Incident Events (TIEs), Innovative Concepts, and Remediation Fund

Coordination Requirements

For ships that are required to comply with emission controls, communication and coordination should be sought with the regulated terminal at least seven days before arrival. This communication should be in writing and confirm how the vessel will meet the required standards. This advance planning directly affects truck operators who must coordinate their schedules around vessel arrival and departure times.

Emissions control must be in operation within two hours of being ‘Ready to Work’ and must not be disconnected more than one hour prior to the outbound pilot boarding. These timing requirements create specific windows for cargo operations that truck operators must navigate.

Enforcement and Penalties

Any vessel operators, terminal operators, ports, and third-party CARB-Approved Emissions Control Strategy (CAECS) operators found out of compliance risk hefty fines. That means any person or entity who owns, operates, charters, or leases any United States or foreign-flag ocean-going vessel that visits a California port, terminal, or berth is subject to the new regulation.

CARB has an Enforcement Penalty Policy and will investigate any potential violation. If a company is deemed to be in non-compliance, a Notice of Violation may be issued. A financial penalty could be the result after each violation.

The Bigger Picture: Environmental Impact

Once fully implemented, the updated regulation is expected to achieve a 90% reduction in pollution and a 55% reduction in potential cancer risk for communities near the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Richmond. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach alone are responsible for producing roughly 100 tons of smog daily, equivalent to emissions from 6 million vehicles.

Preparing for Compliance

For automotive service providers and fleet operators working in the port trucking sector, staying compliant with California’s environmental regulations is more critical than ever. Whether you’re managing a fleet of port trucks or providing maintenance services, partnering with experienced CARB Compliance Los Angeles, CA specialists ensures your operations meet all regulatory requirements while maintaining efficiency.

Tankers calling at Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles terminals in 2025 and Ro-Ro vessels at any California terminal will need to prepare for compliance. There are currently no indications that enforcement of the regulation will be delayed.

The maritime industry’s transformation under CARB’s At-Berth Regulation represents a fundamental shift toward cleaner operations. For port truck operators, understanding these requirements isn’t just about compliance—it’s about adapting to a new operational reality that prioritizes environmental protection while maintaining the efficiency that keeps California’s ports competitive in the global marketplace.