The Port of Long Beach is on course to outperform 2023 clean air goals for diesel particles and sulphur oxides, despite cargo throughput at the port surging to record levels.
The Clean Air Action Plan set 2023 reduction targets for diesel particulates at 77%, sulfur oxides at 93% and nitrogen oxides at 59%.
According to the 2017 annual “emissions inventory”, Long Beach has cut diesel particulates by 88%, sulphur oxides by 97% and nitrogen oxides by 56% since 2005.
Neil Davidson, of Drewry, discusses new developments at the Port of Long Beach in a recent Port Technology technical paper
Even though container traffic rose by 11% in 2017, the port maintained lower levels of emissions. This includes greenhouse gases which, although not targeted for reduction in the original Clean Air Action Plan, were reduced by 18% in 2017.
Tracy Egoscue, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbour Commissioners, commented: “The Port has already made dramatic reductions in emissions, but we will not be finished or satisfied until we achieve our community health, air quality, and long-term greenhouse gas reduction goals.
“We know we’ve picked the so-called low-hanging fruit. That’s why the ambitious Clean Air Action Plan update passed last year leverages new technologies and fosters the development of new equipment to reach a zero-emissions goal in the terminals by 2030 and on the roads by 2035.”
Sean Strawbridge discusses how America's energy is being moved in a recent Port Technology technical paper
Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach Executive Director, said: “The Port’s efficiency in moving containers measured by tons of emissions per twenty-foot equivalent unit has improved by 23 percent since 2005.
“We are moving more cargo and creating more jobs with lessened environmental impacts.”
Other efforts by the Port of Long Beach, to improve air quality, have included the Clean Trucks Program, the adoption of shore power for container ships, and the Port’s Green Flag Vessel Speed Reduction Program.
In addition to this, the Port’s future Pier B On-Dock Rail Facility will be the centrepiece of a program to introduce greener operations.
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