In addition, he says, investment is needed in research and development to take the industry to the next level to build bigger ocean-going vessels.

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One of the biggest culprits yet to be addressed is actually ocean-going vessels, which are not held to the same diesel fuel emission standards as land-locked methods of transportation.

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While oil does not damage ocean-going vessels, it will cling to their hulls, and it is illegal for ships to enter U.S. ports or waterways if they will contaminate the waters.

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Whereas the current limit on sulfur emissions in diesel fuel allowed in the United States is 15 parts per million, the diesel fuel coming in from ocean-going vessels emits 45, 000 parts per million!

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But in less than 20 years more than half of the world's ocean-going cargo vessels may be too large to pass through the canal's locks.

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The vessels were going to be so heavy that one critic suggested they would be more like bricks than boats.

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As Robert Gates, America's defence secretary, lamented in April, the fight against piracy would be going better if shipowners stopped paying to regain their vessels.

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