Port of LA Promotes Clean Vessel Incentive Program

The Port of Los Angeles is promoting an international incentive program that encourages ship operators to reduce pollution through engine, fuel and technology enhancements to their vessels.

Suggested vessel modifications and changes in operating practices to reduce health-risk pollutants as well as carbon emissions are contained in the international Environmental Ship Index.  ESI is an international web-based ship-rating system that ports can use to promote clean ships by rewarding operators whose vessels exceed environmental standards and regulations.

Some of the measures promoted by the ESI program, such as engine modifications, slow-steaming of vessels, use of low-sulfur fuel and potentially cold-ironing of vessels at berth, are already being practiced at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as part of their joint Clean Air Action Plan. 

The Port of Los Angeles is working with the International Association of Ports and Harbors to develop pollution-reduction strategies and incentives under the ESI program. Nine European ports in the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium and Italy have signed on to participate in the ESI program and either have programs or are in the process of developing programs to offer financial incentives to reward operators whose ships outperform environmental standards.

“The Port of Los Angeles is looking forward to being part of these international standards and setting the stage for North American ports to follow suit and reward operators for greening their fleets,” said Geraldine Knatz, the port’s executive director.

-- Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @billmongelluzzo.