We will retrofit the Staten Island Ferry fleet to reduce emissions
Staten Island ferries carry over 19 million passengers annually on a 25-minute, five-mile ride. But these diesel-fueled boats each contain two or three propulsion engines that release significant emissions of PM 2.5, NOX, hydrocarbons, and sulfur.

The Port Authority is currently funding replacement or retrofits of engines, reducing the eight-boat fleet's total NOX emissions by an estimated 40%, or 570 tons per year. The replacement/retrofit program will also have a positive effect on PM 2.5. But to further target the PM emissions, the City will install DOCs on each propulsion engine, at a cost of $75,000 to $90,000 per engine.

The City will reduce emissions from the ferries even more with the use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel 2 (ULSD2), once a usable form is locally available.

Progress (as of 4/22/08):
DOT has retrofitted the engines on three ferries with pollution control equipment, and a fourth, the John F. Kennedy, went into dry dock on October 10 to begin the retrofit process. The City's retrofit plan has been incorporated into Local Law 3, which the Mayor signed in February 2008. Due to contracting delays at the PANYNJ, John F Kennedy has not yet been upgraded. The City expects to complete the upgrade of both the Kennedy and the Molinari in 2008. In January 2008, the City began to fuel the ferry fleet with ULSD and B5.

We will work with private ferries to reduce their emissions
Already, we have been working with regional private ferry companies to reduce their emissions. All 41 private ferry boats that serve New York City have agreed to install DOCs in 2007, under a fully-funded Federal program.

But there is an opportunity for even greater reductions. Because they use a different type of engine than the Staten Island Ferries, the private ferry engines are able to operate on Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel 1 (ULSD1), which is available in the region. Although this will increase fuel costs by a few cents per gallon, the emissions reduction is substantial. Therefore, the City will join with the City Council in proposing this conversion. The use of ULSD1 would reduce PM 2.5 by 5% to 10% beyond the reductions expected when DOCs are installed on the city's 41 private ferries in 2007.

Progress (as of 4/22/08):
DOT reached preliminary agreement with NY Waterway to retrofit one ferry in the next few months, with an agreement to retrofit the whole fleet once operational concerns are met. Discussions with the company are still underway. The City is also exploring policies to encourage the use of ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) in the private ferry fleet.