Maritime Alert: Busiest Ports in US set Zero Emissions Goals

Jun 14, 2017 | Maritime Alerts, Other News

On Monday, June 12, 2017, the mayors of Los Angeles and Long Beach signed a joint declaration setting zero emission goals for the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.   The declaration included the following commitments:

  1. A commitment by the Cities and Ports to assist with the advancement of clean technologies needed to move toward a zero emissions goal.
  2. The approval of a 2017 Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) update by November of this year, to include
    a. “measurable milestones to help ensure progress toward near-term regional air quality attainment goals – including through zero and near-zero technologies—as well as [the] ultimate goals of zero emissions for cargo-handling equipment by 2030, and zero emissions for on-road drayage trucks serving the ports by 2035.” (Emphasis added)
    b. Expanded at-berth emissions reductions for container ships, as well as ships that move other types of cargo.
    c. A commitment by the ports to create drayage truck pilot programs to test zero emission drayage trucks.
    d. A commitment by the ports to conduct and expand technology advancement programs.
  3. A commitment that within 15 days the ports will release a final timeline for the submission of the 2017 CAAP Update by November 2017.
  4. A commitment to create a San Pedro Bay CAAP Implementation Stakeholder Advisory Group to include private and public industry stakeholders.
  5. A commitment to launch the Green Ports Collaborative to work with other West Coast ports to aggregate, demonstrate and create markets that grow the demand for zero emissions goods movement vehicles and equipment.
  6. A commitment to secure funding to implement the 2017 CAAP Update programs and supporting infrastructure from state and federal courses.

The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are the tenth busiest container port complex in the world.

We will provide a further update once the ports release the final timeline for the submission of the 2017 CAAP Update.

– Keesal, Young & Logan Maritime Law Group

This information has been prepared by Keesal, Young & Logan for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship between you and Keesal, Young & Logan. You should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.