This is a legacy page. Please click here to view the latest version.
Mon 21 Aug 2017 14:53

Ships play 'key role' in LA achieving 'historic' low emissions


Port highlights shore power, emissions capture technology, speed reduction and Environmental Ship Index.



The Port of Los Angeles' latest emissions inventory report says the U.S. port's emissions were at a "record", "historic" low in 2016 while it was able to move more cargo than ever.

According to a 100-page document, entitled 'Port of Los Angeles Inventory of Air Emissions - 2016', last year marked the port's highest reduction of all key pollutants. Since Los Angeles' baseline inventory in 2005, diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions have fallen 87 percent, sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions have plummeted 98 percent, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions have dropped 57 percent.

During the same period, Los Angeles moved more than 8.85 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), maintaining its ranking as the Western Hemisphere's leading container seaport and surpassing the port's earlier record of nearly 8.47 million TEUs set in 2006.

A closer look at the numbers reveals the extent to which 2016 was a milestone year for the port's air quality improvement gains. From 2015 to 2016 alone, pollution is down 13 percent for DPM, 10 percent for NOx and 14 percent for SOx.

Substantial progress in reducing emissions from ships is said to have "played a key role" in the 2016 results. Factors include the ongoing trend of fewer vessel calls due to bigger ships carrying more cargo, fleet compliance with California's shore power regulations for an entire year without congestion, and an increased use of alternative emissions capture technology when plugging into shoreside electricity is unavailable.

Increased compliance with cleaner vessel fuel regulations, continued participation in the port's Vessel Speed Reduction Program, and growing participation in the port's voluntary Environmental Ship Index program are also said to have led to clean air progress. The latter offers incentives that encourage vessel operators to bring their cleanest ships to Los Angeles and demonstrate new onboard pollution reduction technology.

As Bunker Index reported last month, the proposed 2017 San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) Update outlines a new set of near-term and long-term strategies for the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbour complex to further reduce air pollution from all port-related sources and assist the state of California in meeting aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals.

It sets new targets for reducing GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.


CEO, Fredrik Witte and CFO, Mette Rokne Hanestad. Corvus Energy raises $60m from consortium for maritime battery expansion  

Norwegian energy storage supplier secures growth capital to accelerate zero-emission shipping solutions.

Indian Register of Shipping hosts at LISW 2025. Shipping industry warned nuclear power is essential to meet 2050 net zero targets  

Experts say government backing is needed for nuclear investment.

Rendering of LNG bunkering vessel Avenir TBN. ExxonMobil enters LNG bunkering with two vessels planned for 2027  

Energy company to charter vessels from Avenir LNG and Evalend Shipping for marine fuel operations.

Logos of international maritime associations supporting IMO Net Zero Framework. Shipping associations back IMO Net-Zero Framework ahead of key vote  

Seven international associations urge governments to adopt comprehensive decarbonisation rules at IMO meeting.

Concept illustration of biofuel and renewable energy production. Study claims biofuels emit 16% more CO2 than fossil fuels they replace  

Transport & Environment report challenges biofuels as climate solution ahead of COP30.

Rendering of Green Ammonia FPSO. ABB to supply automation systems for floating green ammonia production vessel  

Technology firm signs agreement with SwitcH2 for Portuguese offshore facility producing 243,000 tonnes annually.

VPS launches VeriSphere digital platform. VPS launches Verisphere digital platform to streamline marine fuel decarbonisation tools  

New ecosystem connects multiple maritime emissions solutions through single user interface.

Wallenius Sol vessel Botnia Enabler. Wallenius Sol joins Gasum's FuelEU Maritime compliance pool as bio-LNG generator  

Partnership aims to help shipping companies meet EU carbon intensity requirements through bio-LNG pooling.

IAPH Clean Marine Fuels Working Group. IAPH launches products portal with ammonia bunker safety checklist  

Port association releases industry-first ammonia fuel checklist alongside updated tools for alternative marine fuels.

Berkel AHK Logo. Berkel AHK joins Global Ethanol Association as founding member  

German ethanol producer becomes founding member of industry association focused on marine fuel applications.


↑  Back to Top