Port achieves emission reduction targets

In 2005, the Port of Los Angeles began tracking emissions, setting goals in 2010 to achieve a 72 per cent reduction in diesel particulate matter (PM), a 22 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and a 93 per cent reduction in sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions by 2014.

Data from 2014 reveals that the port has exceeded its goals for that year, reducing PM by 85 per cent, NOx by 52 per cent and SO₂ by 97 per cent. The areas measured include: emissions from twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), ocean-going vessels, cargo handling equipment, rail, trucks, and harbour craft.

The Port of Los Angeles attributed the emission reductions to state regulations, which entered into force on 1 January 2014, including requiring ships to plug into shore power while at berth, and requiring ships to burn fuel containing 0.1 per cent sulphur or less within 24 nautical miles of the California coast. As of January 2015, vessels are required to use such low-sulphur fuel within 200 nautical miles of all of North America.

Participation in the port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Program remains high, with 95 per cent of vessels slowing down to 12 knots within 20 nautical miles of the port and 84 per cent of vessels slowing to 12 knots between 20 to 40 nautical miles from the port.

Source: Sustainable Shipping News, 2 October 2015