A new policy designed to reduce ship pollution within 200 miles of US shores has been unveilled today (31st March) by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Under the new proposal, US and foreign-flagged ships in this area will be required to use dramatically cleaner fuel and more effective pollution controls for their engines. Once implemented, the proposal will significantly improve air quality in port communities, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Today's action comes on the heels of an international agreement reached last year that adopted new emissions standards for large diesel-fueled, ocean-going ships. Under this agreement, nations can petition the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to create "Emission Control Areas" off their coasts. In these areas, large ships will have to use fuel that contains 98 percent less sulfur than the current global cap and install pollution-cutting equipment to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 80 percent, particulate matter (PM) by 85 percent, and sulfur oxides (SOx) by 95 percent, compared to current emissions levels.

Commenting on the move Rich Kassel, Director of the Clean Fuels and Vehicles Project at the Natural Resources Defense Council said;  "Dirty diesel pollution from ships is a serious, but solvable, problem. EPA's proposal is an important step towards curbing ship pollution on our coasts.

"Port communities around the nation have waited for years to see coordinated federal action to reduce ship pollution in their backyards. Cleaner ships will mean cleaner air for anybody who lives downwind from our ports."