A Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd. ocean carrier heads into the Port of Long Beach. Photo courtesy of Port of Long Beach.
4:01pm | The Port of Long Beach honored 13 ocean carriers Thursday that earned the coveted “best of the best” title during the port’s annual Green Flag Awards program, which honors carriers for slowing down and reducing their emissions.The Green Flag vessel speed reduction program gives financial incentives to ship operators to slow down near the harbor, thus reducing air pollution. The program has helped reduce pollution levels from ships by nearly 50 percent since it began six years ago, according to information provided by port spokesman Art Wong.
Vessels that slow down within a 20-nautical-mile zone around the port are rewarded with discounts on dockage fees. Extra incentives are given to ships that slow down within 40 nautical miles.
“Because of your voluntary efforts, the air throughout our region is more breathable,” Port of Long Beach Executive Director Richard D. Steinke told honorees during a luncheon hosted at the Law Offices of Keesal, Young & Logan Thursday in downtown Long Beach. “We continue to be grateful that so many of you have joined us in improving air quality and the quality of life in this community.
More than 200 ocean carriers participated in the program last year. Overall, close to 96 percent of all ships docking at the port slowed down to the speed limit of 12 knots within the 20-nautical-mile radius, and 74 percent within the 40-nautical-miles radius, Wong said.
Slower ships burn less diesel, therefore producing less pollution.
The 13 companies honored Thursday represented a select group of ocean carriers that achieved at least 90 percent, and in some cases 100 percent, participation by their fleets. These lines accounted for about 50 percent of all the voyages at the port, Wong said.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than five years since we adopted our Green Port Policy,” said Board of Harbor Commissioners Chair Nick Sramek. “We’ve done a lot in those years — from the Clean Trucks program to the technology advancement program and a lot more programs.”
The “Green Flag Top 13” are Hamburg Sud; Mediterranean Shipping Co.; Zim Integrated Shipping; Nippon Yusen Kaisha; Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha; Alaska Tanker; Maersk AS; Orient Overseas Container Line; Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd.; Matson Navigation; COSCO; Wan Hai Lines Ltd.; and Toyofuji Shipping Co. Ltd.
Last year, the port awarded $2.4 million in dockage fee discounts to carriers participating in the Green Flag program. This year, the port is on track to award about $2.5 million, Wong said.