Bill Mongelluzzo | Jul 27, 2011 10:39AM EDT
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have chosen seven companies as recipients of the 2011 Clean Air Action Plan quality awards.
The ports present the awards each year to companies or groups that take extraordinary measures to cut air emissions, modernize facilities and implement innovative operations to reduce pollution. There are three recipients of the award for air quality improvement leadership at the corporate level.
The Clean Truck Coalition, a group of 10 family-owned licensed motor carriers, invested $109 million in new equipment, including nearly 1,000 new diesel and liquefied natural gas trucks. The group also cooperates in implementing operational measures that reduce traffic congestion and improve efficiency.
Ability/Tri-Modal Transportation Services replaced its entire fleet of 51 trucks with clean trucks. The company has also been a leader in port-wide efforts to reduce gate congestion and improve turn times at marine terminals.
Evergreen Line in 2003 incorporated new S-type green ships into its fleet. The vessels have low-sulfur fuel systems that reduce sulfur oxide emissions, and efficient hull designs that lower fuel consumption. The vessels are equipped to operate from shore-side electrical power while at berth. Evergreen also participates in the Port of Los Angeles speed reduction program to reduce emissions from vessels in transit.
Two companies were chosen for awards for innovative operations that improve air quality.
Hamburg Sud established a record in 2010 of 99 percent of its vessels participating in the vessel speed reduction program within 40 miles of the coast. Hamburg Sud is the leader among all lines participating in the program at the two ports.
Yusen Terminals voluntarily initiated a number of innovative operational improvements to reduce emissions and increase efficiency. Yusen restructured its terminal traffic flow patterns to reduce the distance that trucks and workers need to travel to complete cargo pickups and drop-offs.
Yusen implemented a free-flow operation for all near-dock rail moves, significantly lessening turn times and truck idling within the terminal. Yusen also automated its exit gate procedures to reduce truck queues and idling.
Two companies were chosen to receive the award for significant early action to reduce air pollutant emissions. NYK Line in 2010 began using shore-side alternative power for vessels at berth. NYK last year achieved a 24 percent compliance rate for use of shore-side alternative power, which is more than twice the 10 percent compliance rate mandated by the California Air Resources Board.
Sause Bros., which provides marine transportation and ocean towing services at the ports, repowered five of its vessels and replaced 17 engines with cleaner, lower-emission technology, well before CAB requirements for harbor craft will take effect.
Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com.