Center for Environmental Research & Technology

CE-CERT launches study of ship emissions off SoCal coast

June 3, 2025

Ships traveling to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach remain a significant source of hazardous air pollution in Southern California — affecting both regional air quality and public health in surrounding communities.

CE-CERT is leading a $3.5 million, 30-month study to better quantify these impacts. Funded through the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, this project represents one of the most comprehensive efforts to date to measure and characterize emissions from oceangoing vessels near the Southern California coast.

Using advanced tools — including drone-based sampling of ship exhaust plumes, direct stack measurements, and fixed monitoring stations in nearby neighborhoods — researchers will apply chemical fingerprinting to identify the portion of local air pollution directly attributable to ship traffic.

The study’s findings will provide essential data for:

• Public health research on community exposure

• Regulatory agencies working to further reduce pollution from port operations

• Policy development at state, national, and international levels

The project builds on CE-CERT’s decades-long expertise in emissions measurement and atmospheric processes. Research began in April 2025 and will continue through 2027, capturing data across seasonal variations and shipping patterns.

For a more in-depth look at the study’s approach, goals, and potential impact, read UC Riverside’s full article here:
 https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2025/06/02/ucr-launches-study-ship-emissions-socal-coast