July 28, 2025
The Port of Oakland is joining Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) as one of its Program Ambassadors to help protect migrating whales and coastal air quality. Ambassadors work with participating shipping lines and help encourage greater industry participation in voluntary efforts that reduce fatal strike risk to endangered whales, air and underwater noise pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
BWBS is a voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) verification and recognition program, formed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Sanctuaries, Bay Area Air District and California coastal county-based air pollution control districts. Participating shipping companies' fleets travel at 10 knots (11.5 mph) or less in the VSR zones from May to December, which coincides with peak ozone and endangered whale presence. Traveling at decreased speeds significantly reduces whale and environmental impacts.
As an ambassador, the Port of Oakland will help raise awareness of the program and encourage full participation from all shipping lines calling the Port. Carriers CMA CGM, MSC, Evergreen, Cosco, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai, Maersk, ONE, OOCL, Swire, Wan Hai, and Yang Ming-which represents 84% of all vessel calls to the Port of Oakland last year-have participated in the program.
BWBS independently verifies participants' cooperation rates and quantifies the environmental benefits. Shippers are provided recognition to encourage further adoption of responsible shipping practices that help support and protect marine biodiversity, air quality and coastal communities.
Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) is a partnership between federal and local government agencies, foundations, and environmental nonprofits, including NOAA, the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation; Channel Islands, Chumash Heritage, Monterey Bay, Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries; and the Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control Districts, and the Bay Area Air District.
Source: ort of Oakland