POLA Recognizes Shipping Lines, Customers Helping to Reduce Emissions

SAN PEDRO — The Port of Los Angeles this week celebrated the achievements of more than two dozen shipping lines and carriers for participating in the port’s vessel speed reduction program or VSRP), an air quality and annual incentive program for vessel operators who reduce their speed as they approach or depart America’s port. The program is one of the sustainability efforts underway at the port to reduce emissions and decarbonize operations.

“Improving air quality in the San Pedro Bay is of utmost importance,” said Los Angeles Harbor Commission Vice President Diane Middleton, who spoke at the event honoring the shipping lines. “While increasing cargo volume means more jobs for our region, it’s critically important that we improve the quality of life for our neighbors. We are grateful to these companies and partners for their voluntary participation and long-term commitment to creating a cleaner and more sustainable port environment. We look forward to joint efforts to make the San Pedro Bay Port complex a zero-emission hub.”

Emission reductions are achieved under the VSRP by ships slowing down to 12 knots as they approach or depart the port at 20 to 40 nautical miles or nm out from Point Fermin. In 2022, 172 companies were 90% compliant at 20 nm for a total of 1,560 vessel calls. These companies’ efforts resulted in a decrease of nearly 66 tons of diesel particulate matter (DPM), 749 tons of nitrous oxides (NOx), 575 tons of sulfur oxides (SOx) and 31,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) for the year.

Since 2008, the port has offered financial incentives to shipping lines that achieve a 90% VSRP participation rate during a full calendar year. Incentives paid by the port for 2022 VSRP totaled more than $1.9 million.

Incentivized companies recognized at today’s reception achieved nearly 100% compliance and were also responsible for the bulk of VSRP emission reductions in 2022: APL; Chevron Shipping; CMA CGM (America); COSCO; Crowley Petroleum Services; Evergreen Marine; G2 Ocean; Hafnia Pools; Hapag-Lloyd AG; Hyundai Merchant Marine; Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha; Maersk Line; Mitsui Bulkship; MM Marine; Mol Chemical Tankers; MSC Mediterranean Shipping; Nissan Motor Car Carrier; NYK Group Americas; Ocean Network Express; OSG Ship Management; Pacific Basin Shipping; Saga Welco; Scorpio MR Pool; TORM; and Yang Ming Marine Transport.

VSRP was established in 2001 through a cooperative Memorandum of Understanding signed by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Steamship Association of Southern California and Pacific Merchant Shipping Association.