PORT OF LOS ANGELES WINS GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
Lloyd’s List Recognizes Port for Emissions Reductions, International Collaborative Efforts
SAN PEDRO, Calif. — September 27, 2012 — The Port of Los Angeles has received the prestigious Lloyd’s List Global Award in the Environment category, an honor recognizing the Port’s environmental leadership in adopting and promoting programs that reduce emissions from maritime sources.
“The fact that the Port of Los Angeles has supporting evidence of up to a 75 percent reduction in emissions since 2005 caught the attention of our judges,” said Lloyd’s List Editor Richard Meade. “Through innovative programs and international collaboration, the Port of Los Angeles is rightly recognized as an environmental leader and role model for other ports.”
“Our team has worked hard to implement emission reduction measures and proactive programs to curb pollution,” said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “To be recognized on the international stage for our environmental leadership and innovation is truly an honor.”
“This award is really the culmination of efforts by the port and its stakeholders,” said Chris Cannon, the Port’s director of environmental management. “We could not have achieved these environmental milestones without the vision of our City of Los Angeles and Port leadership, and the commitment of our industry and community partners.”
The award highlighted several of the Port’s green initiatives and leadership efforts at both the regional and international level, including the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP). Initiated in 2006, the CAAP established control measures for port-related ships, trains, trucks, terminal equipment and harbor craft, and ties these measures to specific emissions reduction goals. Two notable CAAP programs are the Clean Truck Program and the Vessel Speed Reduction Incentive Program which have significantly contributed to emission reductions in and around the Port.
Lloyd’s List, the leading international daily newspaper for the maritime industry, also cited the Port’s record for promoting environmental innovation, citing the Port’s annual funding of the Technology Advancement Program (TAP ) to encourage development of technologies to reduce maritime-related emissions. Over the past 12 months, TAP demonstrations have included an electric drayage truck, a Tier IV retrofit for locomotives and sea scrubbers on ships.
The Port was also honored for its international collaborative efforts to reduce maritime emissions, including its role in creating the Pacific Ports Clean Air Collaborative (PPCAC), a group of ports, shipping operators, cargo owners, and other stakeholders along the Pacific Rim committed to economic growth in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner. In February 2012, the Port hosted the 2012 PPCAC conference with the theme of “Challenges for a Sustainable Future,” which brought together members from all over the world to exchange ideas for reducing air emissions.
The Port’s role in a new Environmental Ship Index (ESI) program was also noted. The Port is the first port in North America to commit to the ESI, an international clean ship incentive program developed within the World Ports Climate Initiative, of which the port is a founding member. Operators that visit the Port earn an ESI financial incentive by participating in the program and by using cleaner technology and practices that reduce emissions beyond international regulatory requirements. In addition, the Port plans to provide additional incentives to ships with Tier 2 and 3 engines and ships that participate in TAP demonstrations.
This year, Lloyd’s List received more than double the number of award entries over 2011. Award categories included port operations, ship operations, safety, environment, corporate social responsibility, business innovation and technological innovation, among others. The Port of Los Angeles was selected from among six finalists in the environment category.
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.