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The Port of Los Angeles is working with the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) to develop incentive program strategies to participate in the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) Program, starting in 2012.

The ESI is an international web-based ship-rating system ports can use to promote clean ships by rewarding operators whose vessels exceed current environmental performance standards and regulations.

Port staff presented an outline of the program to the Board of Harbor Commissioners last week and they expect to submit recommendations for participation in the program to the board by early 2012.

The announcement comes on the fifth anniversary of the Port's adoption of the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), a pollution reduction initiative which is said to have helped to cut air emissions from port-related sources in San Pedro Bay by as much as 76 percent.

The CAAP was designed as a blueprint for charting a permanent course for the Port of Los Angeles to operate a clean, environmentally sustainable port. In 2010, the port reaffirmed its commitment to the CAAP by expanding its programs and setting more aggressive targets with short-term goals up until 2014 and long-term objectives up until 2023.

"The Port of Los Angeles continues to be a world leader in combating pollution," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "We've had five years of extraordinary success with the Clean Air Action Plan and now we're looking at the next generation of strategies for running the cleanest possible port and improving air quality in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California."

"The Port of Los Angeles is looking forward to being part of these international standards and setting the stage for North American ports to follow suit and reward operators for greening their fleets," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. and IAPH president. "As participation grows, the benefits increase for carriers and communities."

The Port of Los Angeles adopted the CAAP to help tackle harmful emissions in the South Coast Air Basin. After launching the CAAP in 2006, the port says it has met or exceeded nearly all its goals for reducing air pollution from port-related sources.

The ESI identifies voluntary engine, fuel and technology enhancements ships can use to exceed current environmental performance standards. The ESI targets primary pollutants, which include nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and diesel particulate matter (DPM). The program also contains a component to help reduce greenhouse gases. The index was developed by some of the world's major ports collaborating under the World Ports Climate Initiative, a project of the IAPH.

Nine European ports in the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium and Italy have signed on to participate in the ESI and either have current programs or are in the process of developing programs to offer financial incentives to reward operators whose ships outperform environmental standards.