Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia presented the inaugural “Mayor’s Green Port Award” to terminal operator Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) at the annual Environmental Achievement Awards, the Port of Long Beach announced Wednesday.
LBCT garnered the top prize for Environmental Excellence for its work with the POLB in implementing clean technologies to create the “world’s most advanced container shipping terminal,” according to the port.
“Long Beach Container Terminal has shown exemplary leadership in the fight for cleaner air. The company is a vital part of the Port of Long Beach as a business partner and as a partner in improving life for the people of Long Beach,” said Mayor Garcia in a statement. “I congratulate LBCT and all the winners today for working to help the environment.”
The annual awards are part of the POLB’s Green Port Policy and was first implemented in 2005 by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners to encourage strong environmental policies.
Other recipients of the 10th Environmental Excellence awards include:
- Mediterranean Shipping Co for a strong showing in the port’s Green Flag Vessel Speed Reduction Program. The program requests vessel operators to slow down to 12 knots near the port to reduce air pollution.
- Tesoro for performing the best in the Port’s Green Ship Program, which has encouraged shipping lines to send their cleanest ships to Long Beach since 2012.
- A coalition of groups that include the Natural Resources Defense Council, Coalition for Clean Air, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice and Communities for Clean Ports/EndOil for bringing environmental issues to the forefront and instituting change.
- SSAT/Matson terminal for its consistently strong showing in the port’s stormwater runoff control program.
- Ability Tri-Modal trucking company for leading the port’s Clean Trucks Program, which has reduced diesel pollution by 90 percent since 2008.
- Total Transportation Services, Inc. for its leadership in the Clean Trucks program, as well as its technology advancement.
- Pacific Harbor Line, the port’s short line railroad, for pursuing clean locomotives to move freight in the harbor complex.
Nine vessel operators were also honored for their performances in the Port’s Green Flag Vessel Speed Reduction Program, for slowing down to 20 nautical miles and 40 nautical miles.
20 Nautical Miles
- Carnival Cruise Lilnes
- CMA CGM
- Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd.
- Matson, Inc.
- Alaska Tanker Co.
40 Nautical Miles
- COSCO
- “K” Line
- MOL
- Mediterranean Shipping Co.
Above, left: photo courtesy of the Port of Long Beach.