Bill Mongelluzzo, Associate Editor | Jun 06, 2012 8:52AM EDT
The Port of Long Beach Tuesday recognized 14 shipping lines for consistently reducing their vessel speed in the harbor area in order to cut down on harmful emissions.
The Green Flag Incentive Program rewards vessel operators that slow down to 12 knots or less within 40 nautical miles of the port or within 20 miles. The carriers benefit from a reduction in port charges, and Long Beach benefits from reduced pollution.
It is due to programs like Green Flag that the port has been able to reduce emissions by 72 percent compared to the levels of 2005, said Susan Anderson Wise, president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners.
Voluntary participation in the speed-reduction program within the 20-mile zone is close to universal now. The participation rate this past year was 96 percent, said Chris Lytle, Long Beach executive director.
The following lines received recognition for a vessel call participation rate of 95 to 100 percent within the 20-mile zone: Hanjin, Matson, Cosco, CMA CGM, CSAV and Alaska Tanker.
The participation rate within 40 miles of the port was more than 80 percent. Lines recognized for a participation rate of 90 to 99 percent were: Hamburg Sud, “K” Line, NYK Line, OOCL, Zim, Mediterranean Shipping Co, Pacific International Lines and PO Shipping.
Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @billmongelluzzo.
