The Port of Long Beach has achieved for the first time all of the 2023 goals for emissions reduction outlined in the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), despite the record container traffic.
The US Port’s annual emissions inventory report found that sulfur oxides have been decreased by 97%, diesel soot is down by 90%, and smog-forming nitrogen oxides decline by 62%, while container throughput has increased by 21%.
"The pollution levels are all compared to the 2005 baseline, the year before the original San Pedro Bay CAAP was adopted," said POLB.
Several factors affected activity, efficiency, and therefore emissions in 2020, largely related to the Covid-19 pandemic, such as the stoppage of cruise ship passenger operations in mid-March and fewer oil tankers calling the Californian port.
"We celebrate this success, but our ultimate goal is still to be an emissions-free port," commented Long Beach Harbor Commission President, Steven Neal.
Currently, almost 16% of the cargo-handling fleet or about 235 pieces of equipment is powered by electricity at the second busiest port in US.
However, greenhouse gas emissions increased by 7% between 2019 and 2020. Officials connected this rise to cargo-handling equipment and heavy-duty truck activity related to record activity in 2020.
The 2017 CAAP Update incorporates numerous strategies to reduce emissions of the San Pedro Bay Ports operations. The Technology Advancement Program nurtures the development of technology and equipment to reach the CAAP’s emissions targets.
"We are absolutely committed to showing the way forward for sustainable goods movement," said Port of Long Beach Executive Director, Mario Cordero, who added, "Our industry partners and other stakeholders deserve a great deal of credit for cleaning the air."
The annual emissions inventory is reviewed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board and South Coast Air Quality Management District.
