Regional Issues
Air Pollution from Marine Shipping- Impacts to Santa Barbara County
Page last updated May 07, 2008.

Listen to radio story (mp3 file) for overview of the issue and more information on APCD lawsuits: KCLU News 1-24-08.
See brief filed in U.S. District Court on 2-22-2008

Local Impacts of Marine Shipping

Local Studies & Actions

Marine Shipping Retrofit Project

State/National/ International Initiatives

Related Downloads/Links

APCD Contacts

A container ship travels through the Santa Barbara Channel. Ships like this one are making more trips along the coastline every year. In our waters, due to the location of the Channel, these huge ships are traveling only ten to fifteen miles off shore.To see a recent article on marine shipping, and the impact on our county, click here: Seattle Times article Tuesday, September 28, 2004.

This photo was taken from an airplane by APCD employee Marc Moritsch. Anacapa Island is seen in the background.

Marine shipping represents a major source of uncontrolled air pollution. Large ships are responsible for a significant percentage of worldwide emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur, air toxics, greenhouse gases, and ozone-depleting substances. Ships are increasing in number and size, while the residual heavy fuel oil they use is degrading in quality.